Figures

dates unknown (legendary; before the eighth century) · Dzogchen (Great Perfection) lineage

Garab Dorje

Prahevajra, Pramodavajra, Surativajra; dga' rab rdo rje

Dzogchen lineage · Lineage holder

Garab Dorje is honored as the first human teacher of Dzogchen, the Great Perfection. Lineage histories trace the teaching from the primordial buddha Samantabhadra through Vajrasattva to him, and from him to his disciple Mañjuśrīmitra. Tradition holds that when he passed into rainbow light he left Mañjuśrīmitra a final testament, the famous Three Statements that Strike the Vital Point.

Known for Hitting the Essence in Three Words (tshig gsum gnad brdeg), his last testament

Neither his dates nor his birthplace can be fixed historically, and modern scholars treat him as a figure of sacred history, not a documented person. Sanskrit forms of his name differ between sources (Prahevajra, Pramodavajra, Surativajra). Treasury of Lives has a profile for him (TBRC P0RK998) but no biography. born_sort is a placeholder that keeps the lineage in order.

dates unknown (before the eighth century) · Dzogchen (Great Perfection) lineage

Mañjuśrīmitra

Manjushrimitra; Jampal Shenyen ('jam dpal bshes gnyen)

Dzogchen lineage · Lineage holder · Scholar

Mañjuśrīmitra was the main disciple of Garab Dorje and the main teacher of Śrī Siṃha. He is remembered for sorting the Dzogchen teachings into three classes: Mind (semde), Space (longde) and Pith Instruction (mengakde). Tradition holds that he too passed into the rainbow body, leaving Śrī Siṃha a final testament called the Six Experiences of Meditation.

Known for Threefold division of Dzogchen (semde, longde, mengakde); testament Six Experiences of Meditation

His dates are unknown. Some modern accounts describe him as a Yogācāra scholar before he met Garab Dorje; I could not confirm this in the sources I opened. born_sort is a placeholder.

eighth century (traditional) · Dzogchen (Great Perfection) lineage

Śrī Siṃha

Shri Singha; Pelgyi Sengge (dpal gyi seng ge)

Dzogchen lineage · Lineage holder

Śrī Siṃha was a Dzogchen master in the line of Mañjuśrīmitra. Lineage accounts name Jñānasūtra, Vimalamitra, Padmasambhava and the Tibetan translator Vairotsana among his students. He is credited with arranging the Pith Instruction (mengakde) teachings into four cycles: outer, inner, secret and innermost secret. Tradition holds that when he passed into the rainbow body he left a testament, the Seven Nails, to Jñānasūtra.

Known for Fourfold arrangement of the mengakde teachings; testament The Seven Nails (gzer bu bdun pa)

Sources disagree on his homeland and where he taught. Rigpa Wiki says he came from Khotan; the Treasury of Lives biography of Vimalamitra has his students travelling to a temple in China to find him. Treasury of Lives has only a stub for him (P10718), with Padmasambhava, Vairocana and Jñānasūtra listed as students.

eighth century (traditional) · Dzogchen (Great Perfection) lineage

Jñānasūtra

Yeshe Do (ye shes mdo)

Dzogchen lineage · Lineage holder

Jñānasūtra was a disciple of Śrī Siṃha and the main teacher of Vimalamitra in the Dzogchen Heart Essence (Nyingtik) lineage. Hagiographies describe him and Vimalamitra as fellow scholars at Bodhgayā who went to seek Śrī Siṃha after a vision of Vajrasattva. Later, at a charnel ground, he gave Vimalamitra the four Nyingtik empowerments. Tradition holds that he then passed into the rainbow body and left Vimalamitra his testament, the Four Methods of Abiding.

Known for Testament The Four Methods of Abiding (bzhag thabs bzhi pa); teacher of Vimalamitra

The Treasury of Lives biography of Vimalamitra points out that the narratives seem built to give Jñānasūtra lineage authority over Vimalamitra. It suggests he may in fact have been one of Vimalamitra's teachers, or once more central to early tantric Buddhism in Tibet than he later became.

eighth century (Treasury of Lives: early to late eighth century) · Vima Nyingtik; Dzogchen; Mahāyoga (Guhyagarbha)

Vimalamitra

Drime Shenyen (dri med bshes gnyen), Mahāvajra

Dzogchen lineage · Scholar · Translator

Vimalamitra was an Indian master who, with Padmasambhava and Vairotsana, is credited with bringing Dzogchen to Tibet. The standard hagiography has him studying with Śrī Siṃha and Jñānasūtra before Trisong Detsen's envoys brought him to Tibet. There he translated sūtras and tantras, including the Guhyagarbha with Nyak Jñānakumāra and Ma Rinchen Chok, and secretly taught the Nyingtik to the king, Nyang Tingdzin Zangpo and others. Tradition holds that after thirteen years he went to Wutai Shan in China, where he remains in a rainbow body.

Known for Vima Nyingtik (Heart Essence of Vimalamitra); Guhyagarbha translation and commentaries

Treasury of Lives (Joel Gruber) dates him to the eighth century and notes that his standard life story took shape in the twelfth to fifteenth centuries. Rigpa Wiki says he came to Tibet in the ninth century. Some accounts give two to five translators on the mission to invite him.

eighth century (active in Tibet late eighth century) · Founder figure of the Nyingma; all kama and terma lineages

Padmasambhava (Guru Rinpoche)

Guru Rinpoche, Pema Jungne (pad+ma 'byung gnas), the Lotus-Born; Ācārya Padma

Lineage holder · Yogi/yogini · Dzogchen lineage

Scholars generally agree that an Indian tantric master named Padmasambhava visited and taught in Tibet in the late eighth century. The earliest evidence is a set of tenth-century manuscripts from the Dunhuang caves. These link him to Vajrakīla and Mahāyoga practice, to the taming of local Tibetan deities, and to the founding of Samye under King Trisong Detsen. Later treasure biographies made him a fully divine figure: born from a lotus in Oḍḍiyāna, displaying eight manifestations, and concealing teachings for his twenty-five principal disciples to reveal in future lives. Tradition holds that he left Tibet for the land of the rākṣasas.

Known for Founding of Samye with Śāntarakṣita and Trisong Detsen; Vajrakīla and Mahāyoga transmissions; source of the Nyingma treasure (terma) tradition; Eight Manifestations

The Seven-Line Prayer is addressed to him. Tradition holds it is the song with which the ḍākinīs invited him into the world, and its text was first revealed as treasure by Guru Chökyi Wangchuk (1212–1270).

The historical core is thin. Treasury of Lives (Jacob Dalton) gives early eighth to late eighth century. The full legendary life story first appears in the twelfth-century Copper Palace revealed by Nyangrel Nyima Özer, and was expanded in Orgyen Lingpa's fourteenth-century Pema Kathang. The Testament of Ba says he left Tibet early under pressure from ministers; later accounts give him a much longer stay. The prayer's revelation date comes from Lotsawa House (https://www.lotsawahouse.org/topics/seven-line-prayer/) and Rigpa Wiki's Seven Line Prayer page.

eighth century (traditional) · Nyingma; consort of Padmasambhava

Shakyadevi

Belmo Shakyadevi, Śākyadema

Woman master · Yogi/yogini

Shakyadevi is remembered as a Nepalese princess, daughter of a king named Punyadhara, and one of Padmasambhava's five principal consorts. The story goes that she was abandoned in a charnel ground after her mother died in childbirth, and was raised by monkeys. She practiced with Padmasambhava at Yangleshö (Pharping) on the deities Yangdak (Viśuddha) Heruka and Vajrakīla. Tradition holds that together they reached the mahāmudrā vidyādhara level, and that she attained the rainbow body.

Known for Practice with Padmasambhava at Yangleshö (Pharping, Nepal)

Samye Institute calls her Vajravārāhī's mind emanation, and so does Treasury of Lives (as 'Śākyadema'). The Rigpa Wiki 'Shakyadevi' page says she attained the accomplishment of the female buddha Māmakī. Her father's name is spelled Punyedhara (Rigpa) or Punyadhara (Samye Institute).

eighth century (traditional) · Nyingma; consort of Padmasambhava; long-life (tsedrub) lineages

Mandarava

Mandāravā, Machik Drubpai Gyalmo

Woman master · Yogi/yogini

Mandarava is remembered as an Indian princess of Zahor and one of Padmasambhava's two chief consorts. In the hagiographies she turns away from royal marriage to become a nun. Her father then tries to burn Padmasambhava, and tradition holds that the master turned the pyre into a lake. She then practiced with him in the Māratika cave, where tradition holds they attained the level of a vidyādhara with power over life. She is closely linked with long-life practice.

Known for Long-life practice at Māratika cave; Tso Pema (Rewalsar) legend; hagiography The Lives and Liberation of Princess Mandarava

Known only from hagiography. Treasury of Lives notes that her life stories were revealed as treasure from the twelfth century on (Nyangrel, Orgyen Lingpa, Sanggye Lingpa), and its biography follows Samten Lingpa's seventeenth-century account. Its date box reads early to mid eighth century.

725–788 · Indian Madhyamaka; Tibetan monastic (Vinaya) lineage

Śāntarakṣita

Shantarakshita, Khenpo Bodhisattva, Shyiwa Tso (zhi ba 'tsho)

Abbot · Scholar · Monastery founder

Śāntarakṣita was an Indian Mahāyāna scholar associated with Nālandā, invited to Tibet by Trisong Detsen. He planned Samye and ordained the first seven Tibetan monks, the 'seven men to be tested', founding the Tibetan monastic community. Tibetan histories say he advised the king to invite Padmasambhava when local opposition grew too strong. He wrote major Madhyamaka works.

Known for Ornament of the Middle Way (Madhyamakālaṃkāra); Tattvasaṃgraha; founding of Samye; first Tibetan ordinations

Rigpa Wiki gives 725–788; other references give somewhat different dates. Treasury of Lives has only a stub (P5659). The date of the first ordinations is given as c. 775 or c. 779 in different Treasury of Lives biographies.

eighth century · Claimed by both the Nyingma and Bon traditions

Drenpa Namkha

Pungbön Gomar; Indragarbha; dran pa nam mkha'

Yogi/yogini · Lineage holder · Dzogchen lineage

Drenpa Namkha is claimed by both Buddhist and Bon traditions, and their accounts of him differ widely. Buddhist sources describe a Bon priest who converted, became one of Padmasambhava's disciples, and is credited with organizing Dzogchen Semde material and spreading Padmasambhava's teachings. Bon sources treat him as a central Bon master who only appeared to convert, as a skillful means to protect Bon.

Known for Bridge figure between Bon and Nyingma; commentary on the Bon Dzopuk (in Bon sources)

Rigpa Wiki lists him as the twenty-sixth name but notes that Dudjom Rinpoche's list of the twenty-five leaves him out. Bon sources speak of three different figures named Drenpa Namkha.

eighth century (traditional) · Nyingma; consort of Padmasambhava

Kalasiddhi

Belwong Kālasiddhi

Woman master · Yogi/yogini

Kalasiddhi is counted among Padmasambhava's five principal consorts and is said to be an emanation of the enlightened qualities of Vajravārāhī. According to the stories, she was found abandoned as an infant in a Nepalese charnel ground and raised by Mandarava. Yeshe Tsogyal later met her in Nepal, gave her the name Kalasiddhi, and brought her to Samye and Chimphu, where she became Padmasambhava's consort. The Pema Kathang links her with the master's transmission of the Kagye deities to the Indian siddha Hūṃkāra.

Known for One of the five principal consorts; associated with Yeshe Tsogyal's circle

Few biographical details survive, and most of what is known comes from the Yeshe Tsogyal and Padmasambhava hagiographies. Rigpa Wiki says only that she came from Nepal and embodies Vajravārāhī's enlightened qualities. Treasury of Lives (Yeshe Tsogyel biography) spells her name 'Kalasiddha' and gives her as Vajravārāhī's virtue emanation.

eighth century · Vajrakīla; one of the twenty-five disciples

Kharchen Palgyi Wangchuk

mkhar chen dpal gyi dbang phyug

Yogi/yogini

Palgyi Wangchuk of the Kharchen clan was a lay disciple of Padmasambhava who mastered Vajrakīla practice. Tradition holds he could defeat enemies simply by raising his kīla dagger. He is said to have travelled across Tibet with Padmasambhava and Yeshe Tsogyal while they taught.

Known for Vajrakīla

Traditions differ on whether he was Yeshe Tsogyal's father or her brother.

eighth century · Khön lineage of Vajrakīla (later preserved in Sakya)

Khön Lui Wangpo

Khön Nāgendrarakṣita; 'khon klu'i dbang po

Translator · King/patron · Lineage holder

Khön Lui Wangpo was the son of one of Trisong Detsen's ministers and was himself a minister of religion. He is credited as a patron and overseer of the building of Samye. As a junior translator he has about a dozen canonical works to his name. He is said to have received the Khön family's Vajrakīla and Śrī Heruka transmissions from Padmasambhava, which the Sakya tradition preserves today.

Known for Ancestor of the Khön family (Sakya); one of the 'seven men to be tested'

Treasury of Lives says most lists of the first seven ordained monks include him; Rigpa Wiki's list gives 'Khön Nagendrarakshita'. He is not usually counted among the twenty-five disciples but is linked with Padmasambhava through the Khön Vajrakīla. Buton and others questioned whether those Vajrakīla tantras were authentically Indian.

eighth century · Hayagrīva (Tamdrin); one of the twenty-five disciples

Gyalwa Chokyang

Ngenlam Gyalwa Chokyang; rgyal ba mchog dbyangs

Yogi/yogini · Lineage holder

Gyalwa Chokyang was among the first Tibetans ordained by Śāntarakṣita and one of the twenty-five disciples. When Padmasambhava gave the Kagye empowerment at Samye Chimphu, his flower fell on the maṇḍala of Hayagrīva. He became known as a master of that deity, and tradition holds he could manifest as Hayagrīva, with the horse's neigh sounding from the crown of his head.

Known for Hayagrīva practice; one of the 'seven men to be tested'

Rigpa Wiki's standard list of the 'seven men to be tested' includes him; other lists differ. Treasury of Lives has no biography for him (its page redirects to a search). The Treasury of Lives biography of Longchenpa says Longchenpa's family claimed descent from him.

eighth century · Jikten Chötö (Worldly Offering and Praise); Lang clan; one of the twenty-five disciples

Langchen Palgyi Senge

Lang Pelgyi Sengge; rlangs dpal gyi seng ge

Translator · Yogi/yogini · Lineage holder

Palgyi Senge of the Lang clan was a lay tantric practitioner whom Trisong Detsen sent to India as a translator. When Padmasambhava empowered him, his flower fell on the maṇḍala of Jikten Chötö. He practiced at Paro Taktsang in Bhutan, and tradition holds he had a vision of the wrathful deity Trakpa Kundul there. He passed his tantric lineage on through his three sons.

Known for Jikten Chötö practice; appears with Padmasambhava in Dunhuang manuscript PT 307

He is one of the few disciples named in an early Dunhuang document: Pelliot tibétain 307 shows him with Padmasambhava taming the seven Mamo goddesses (per the Treasury of Lives Padmasambhava biography). Do not confuse him with Shubu Palgyi Senge, a separate disciple.

eighth century · One of the twenty-five disciples

Langdro Könchok Jungne

Langdro Lotsawa; lang gro dkon mchog 'byung gnas

Translator · Yogi/yogini

Könchok Jungne, born in Tsang, was an influential minister of Trisong Detsen under the name Langdro before becoming a monk and translator. He received teachings from Padmasambhava. Tradition holds that at his death his body dissolved into light. Later masters regarded as his rebirths include Ratna Lingpa and Rigdzin Longsal Nyingpo.

Known for Root incarnation of Ratna Lingpa

Treasury of Lives says he received 'Nyingtik' teachings from Padmasambhava.

eighth century · One of the twenty-five (sometimes a twenty-sixth) disciples

Lasum Gyalwa Changchub

Gyalwa Jangchub; la gsum rgyal ba byang chub

Translator · Yogi/yogini

Gyalwa Changchub of the Lasum clan was a minister of Trisong Detsen before becoming one of the first Tibetans ordained by Śāntarakṣita. He studied with Padmasambhava, travelled often to India and translated many texts. He is best remembered as co-author, with Namkhai Nyingpo, of the life story of Yeshe Tsogyal later revealed by Taksham Nuden Dorje.

Known for Co-author of the namthar of Yeshe Tsogyal

He appears in some lists of the 'seven men to be tested' and in Dudjom Rinpoche's list of the twenty-five; Treasury of Lives says he is sometimes counted as a twenty-sixth disciple. In the Yeshe Tsogyal biography he is identified as the reincarnation of her consort Atsara Sale.

eighth century · Māyājāla/Guhyagarbha (Kham lineage of the Māyājāla); one of the twenty-five disciples

Ma Rinchen Chok

rma rin chen mchog

Translator · Scholar · Commentator

Ma Rinchen Chok, from Phenyul, was one of the 'seven men to be tested', the first Tibetans ordained by Śāntarakṣita. He was in the party that invited Vimalamitra, became his close disciple, and with him translated the Mahāyoga root tantras, the Māyājāla and the Guhyagarbha. He is said to have written over two hundred commentaries, few of which survive. He passed the Mahāyoga teachings on in Kham, starting what became known as the Kham lineage of the Māyājāla.

Known for Guhyagarbha translation with Vimalamitra; Kham lineage of the Māyājāla

Accounts of his death differ. Some sources say he was killed in reprisal after Langdarma's assassination; most say he lived out his life in retreat. Treasury of Lives also places him at the Samye debate, which has not been verified historically.

eighth century · Nyingma; Yangdak Heruka; one of the twenty-five disciples

Namkhai Nyingpo

Nubpa Namkhai Nyingpo; nam mkha'i snying po

Translator · Yogi/yogini · Lineage holder

Namkhai Nyingpo, of the Nub clan from Nyang, was ordained by Śāntarakṣita and sent to India with Vairotsana. There he studied Yangdak Heruka with the siddha Hūṃkāra. After pro-Bon ministers slandered him, he was exiled to Lhodrak instead of executed because he had once cured the king. He co-compiled the early ninth-century Denkarma catalog of scriptures with Kawa Paltsek, and is credited with helping Yeshe Tsogyal conceal treasures, including her own biography.

Known for Yangdak Heruka practice; co-author of the Denkarma catalog; co-scribe of Yeshe Tsogyal's namthar

Treasury of Lives gives early to mid eighth century, which is hard to square with co-authoring an early ninth-century catalog. Later incarnations named there include Katok Rigdzin Tsewang Norbu and Kangyur Rinpoche.

eighth century · Vajrakīla; Northern Treasures (root incarnation of Rigdzin Gödem)

Nanam Dorje Dudjom

sna nam rdo rje bdud 'joms

Yogi/yogini · King/patron

Nanam Dorje Dudjom was a minister of Trisong Detsen. According to the Pema Kathang, he was in the party that invited Padmasambhava to Tibet. He became one of the twenty-five disciples and is chiefly linked with Vajrakīla practice. Tradition holds he could move as fast as the wind and pass through solid rock. Later treasure revealers counted as his rebirths include Rigdzin Gödem, founder of the Northern Treasures, and Pema Trinle of Dorje Drak.

Known for Envoy to invite Padmasambhava; Vajrakīla accomplishment; root incarnation of Rigdzin Gödem and Tertön Sogyal

The two sources disagree on which deity he drew at initiation. Treasury of Lives says his flower fell on Jikten Chötö, and he practiced Vajrakīla at Hepori. Rigpa Wiki says it fell on Vajrakīla. Treasury of Lives also notes that some sources merge him with the translator Ba Trizik.

eighth century · Nyingma kama (Mahāyoga, Anuyoga, Dzogchen); Vajrakīla; Vajrāmṛta

Nyak Jñānakumāra

Nyak Yeshe Zhönnu; gnyags dznyA na ku mA ra

Translator · Lineage holder · Dzogchen lineage

Nyak Jñānakumāra was a monk ordained by Śāntarakṣita and initiated by Padmasambhava into the Vajrāmṛta maṇḍala. He worked with Vimalamitra on translating the Guhyagarbha Tantra and was central to passing on the three main Mahāyoga scriptures and Padmasambhava's Garland of Views. He is said to have combined the 'four great rivers' of transmission from Padmasambhava, Vimalamitra, Vairotsana and Yudra Nyingpo. Through disciples such as Sokpo Palgyi Yeshe his lineage reached Nubchen Sangye Yeshe.

Known for Guhyagarbha translation; 'four great rivers of transmitted precepts'; Vajrakīla

Treasury of Lives tells of a long conflict with his brother Nyak Geton, which the hagiographies frame in miraculous terms.

eighth century · Kama lineage of the Odren clan; one of the twenty-five disciples

Odren Palgyi Wangchuk

Wodren Pelgyi Wangchuk; 'o bran dpal gyi dbang phyug

Yogi/yogini

Palgyi Wangchuk of the Odren clan was a householder tantric practitioner and a close disciple of Padmasambhava. Tradition holds he could swim across wide rivers like a fish. Treasury of Lives notes that his clan has kept practicing the oral (kama) Nyingma teachings.

Do not confuse him with Odren Palgyi Zhönnu, an early teacher of Nubchen Sangye Yeshe.

742–c. 800 · Imperial Tibet; counted among the twenty-five disciples

King Trisong Detsen

Tri Songdetsen, Tri Songdeutsen; khri srong lde btsan; the Dharma King

King/patron · Lineage holder

Trisong Detsen was the Tibetan emperor who made Buddhism the court religion. He invited Śāntarakṣita and then Padmasambhava, and with them founded Samye, Tibet's first monastery. Nyingma tradition remembers the three together as 'Khenpo, Lopon and Chögyal' (abbot, master and dharma king) and counts the king as a principal disciple of Padmasambhava. He also sponsored large translation projects and invited Vimalamitra.

Known for Founding of Samye; invitation of Śāntarakṣita, Padmasambhava and Vimalamitra; first Tibetan monastic ordinations

His dates vary by source: Rigpa Wiki gives 742–c. 800 (or 755–797 from Chinese sources), the Treasury of Lives profile 742–796, and other Treasury of Lives biographies 742–797 or 742–800. Accounts of his sons' names and number are confused (see Mune, Murub, Mutri and Mutik Tsenpo). Treasury of Lives has no full biography (stub P7787). Some lists count him as one of the twenty-five; others count him separately, making twenty-six.

eighth century · Mamo Bötong cycle; one of the twenty-five disciples

Drokmi Palgyi Yeshe

Palgyi Yeshe; 'brog mi dpal gyi ye shes

Translator · Yogi/yogini

Palgyi Yeshe, of the Drokmi clan and born in Yardrok, is one of the twenty-five disciples. He translated many tantras, especially those of the Mamo goddesses (Mamo Bötong), and tradition holds that he reached the highest accomplishment through that practice.

Known for Translation and practice of the Mamo tantras

Dudjom Rinpoche's list (via Rigpa Wiki) has 'Palgyi Yeshe' and 'Sokpo Lhapal' as separate disciples. Treasury of Lives, however, gives Sokpo Lhapal the alternative name 'Sokpo Pelgyi Yeshe', which causes confusion between the two. Both are said to come from Yardrok.

eighth–ninth century · Yamāntaka, Mamo, Vajrakīla; one of the twenty-five disciples

Shubu Palgyi Senge

Pelgyi Sengge of Shubu; shud phu dpal gyi seng ge

Yogi/yogini · King/patron

Palgyi Senge of the Shubu clan, born in Lhodrak, was a minister at Trisong Detsen's court and an expert in pre-Buddhist ritual and bardic traditions. The king sent him to Nepal to invite Padmasambhava, and he then trained closely with the master in Yamāntaka, Mamo and Vajrakīla. He is credited with building the white stūpa at Samye. Tradition holds he showed his attainments by reversing the flow of rivers and shattering rock with his kīla.

Known for Envoy to invite Padmasambhava; white stūpa at Samye

Do not confuse him with Langchen Palgyi Senge. Treasury of Lives names Namchö Mingyur Dorje and the Trangu incarnation line among his rebirths.

eighth century (birth given as 745 or 748) · Nyingma; principal disciple and consort of Padmasambhava

Yeshe Tsogyal

Yeshe Tsogyel, Khandro Yeshe Tsogyal, Kharchen-za; ye shes mtsho rgyal

Woman master · Yogi/yogini · Lineage holder

Yeshe Tsogyal is the most celebrated woman in Tibetan Buddhism and Padmasambhava's foremost Tibetan disciple and consort. Accounts agree that she was a princess of Kharchen in the Drak valley of central Tibet. They disagree on how she escaped marriage and came to Padmasambhava: in the well-known Taksham version, King Trisong Detsen took her as a queen and then offered her to the master. Tradition holds that because of her perfect memory she wrote down his teachings in ḍākinī script and hid them across Tibet as treasures. Her many later reincarnations form a line of female masters.

Known for Recording and concealing Padmasambhava's treasure teachings; retreat at Drak Yangdzong; Atsara Sale as her own consort; her namthar (revealed by Taksham Nuden Dorje)

Treasury of Lives (Jue Liang) gives her birth as either 745 (wood-bird) or 748 (earth-mouse); the page's date box says early eighth to mid eighth century. Her parents' names differ between sources. There are three main life stories: one attributed to Drime Kunga and Pema Lingpa (fourteenth century), the anonymous Extensive Life, and the seventeenth-century version by Taksham Nuden Dorje, which most readers know today.

eighth century (traditional) · Nyingma; consort of Yeshe Tsogyal

Atsara Sale

Ācārya Sale, Arya Sale; A tsar ya sa le

Yogi/yogini

Atsara Sale is remembered as the spiritual consort of Yeshe Tsogyal. In her life story, Padmasambhava told her she needed a partner for the highest Dzogchen practice. She found Sale, an enslaved Indian man, in Nepal and ransomed him, and tradition holds she paid by raising a merchant's dead son. Back in Tibet he received teachings alongside Padmasambhava's other disciples.

Known for Consort of Yeshe Tsogyal

Known only from the Yeshe Tsogyal hagiographies. Rigpa Wiki says he was reborn as Taksham Nuden Dorje, who revealed Yeshe Tsogyal's biography. The Treasury of Lives biography of Lasum Gyalwa Changchub reports that the same text names Gyalwa Changchub as Sale's reincarnation.

eighth–ninth century · Imperial translation bureau; Vima Nyingtik

Chokro Lui Gyaltsen

Chok (in 'Kawa, Chok and Zhang'); cog ro klu'i rgyal mtshan

Translator · Lineage holder

Chokro Lui Gyaltsen was one of the leading imperial-era translators. With Jinamitra he translated Vinaya and Abhidharma works, and with Jñānagarbha he translated Nāgārjuna's Root Verses on the Middle Way and Bhāviveka's commentary on it. He also helped Vimalamitra and Vairotsana translate tantras. With Kawa Paltsek he was sent to India to invite Vimalamitra, from whom he later received the Vima Nyingtik at Samye.

Known for Translations of the Mūlamadhyamakakārikā and Prajñāpradīpa; mission to invite Vimalamitra

He appears in some lists of Padmasambhava's twenty-five disciples but not in Dudjom Rinpoche's. Rigpa Wiki says Karma Lingpa was one of his later incarnations.

eighth century · One of the twenty-five disciples; root incarnation of the Dudjom line

Drokben Khyeuchung Lotsawa

Khyeuchung Lotsawa ('boy translator'); khye'u chung lo tsA ba

Translator · Yogi/yogini

Khyeuchung Lotsawa of the Drokmi clan got his name, 'the boy translator', by learning Sanskrit while very young. He stayed a householder, became a disciple of Padmasambhava and mastered the early-transmission tantras. Tradition holds he could summon birds with a gesture and teach them the dharma. Dudjom Lingpa and Dudjom Rinpoche Jigdral Yeshe Dorje are among those regarded as his later incarnations.

Known for Root incarnation of Dudjom Lingpa and Dudjom Rinpoche

His clan name is spelled both 'Drokben' and 'Drokmi' in different sources.

eighth century (into the early ninth) · Imperial translation bureau; one of the twenty-five disciples

Kawa Paltsek

Kawa Peltsek, Peltsek Rakṣita; ska ba dpal brtsegs

Translator · Scholar · Commentator

Kawa Paltsek, born in the Phenpo valley north of Lhasa, was one of the first seven Tibetans ordained by Śāntarakṣita and one of the three most influential translators at Samye. With Chokro Lui Gyaltsen he was sent to India to invite Vimalamitra. With Indian scholars he translated works including the Abhidharmakośa and the first Tibetan Bodhicaryāvatāra. He also wrote tantric commentaries and co-compiled the Denkarma catalog.

Known for First Tibetan translation of the Bodhicaryāvatāra; Abhidharma translations; Denkarma catalog; Seventeenfold Appearance of the Sequence of the View

Treasury of Lives gives early to late eighth century, but his work on the early ninth-century Denkarma catalog (per the Namkhai Nyingpo biography) suggests he lived into the ninth century. Not every list of the 'seven men to be tested' includes him.

eighth century · Vajrakīla; Nyak lineage; one of the twenty-five disciples

Sokpo Lhapal

Sokpo Palgyi Yeshe (in Treasury of Lives); sog po lha dpal

Yogi/yogini · Lineage holder

Lhapal was a blacksmith from Yardrok, called 'Sokpo' (Mongol) because imperial-era Tibetans used that name for smiths. Though counted among Padmasambhava's twenty-five disciples, his main teacher was Nyak Jñānakumāra. The story goes that Nyak won him over by explaining the nine vehicles while swallowing hot iron. Through Vajrakīla practice Lhapal became known for taming wild animals and protecting his teacher, and he passed the tantric teachings on to Nubchen Sangye Yeshe.

Known for Vajrakīla accomplishment; link between Nyak and Nubchen

Treasury of Lives calls him Sokpo Pelgyi Yeshe, while Dudjom Rinpoche's list keeps 'Palgyi Yeshe' (Drokmi) and 'Sokpo Lhapal' as two separate disciples. Treasury of Lives also says Pema Lhundrup Gyatso, second throne-holder of Palyul, was considered his reincarnation.

eighth century (traditional) · Nyingma; consort of Padmasambhava; Bhutanese tradition

Tashi Khyeudren (Tashi Chidren)

Mönmo Tashi Chidren, Tashi Kyidren, Tashi Tridren; bkra shis khye'u 'dren / spyi 'dren

Woman master · Yogi/yogini

Tashi Chidren is remembered as a princess of Mön (Bumthang, in present-day Bhutan) and one of Padmasambhava's five principal consorts. Accounts say she first became a disciple of Yeshe Tsogyal at about thirteen, and Yeshe Tsogyal later brought her to the master. She is linked with his Vajrakīla practice at Paro Taktsang. Bhutanese tradition holds that she turned into a flying tigress to carry him there in his wrathful form, Dorje Drolö.

Known for Associated with Paro Taktsang and the Dorje Drolö legend; revered in Bhutan

Her name varies a lot between sources (Khyidren, Khyeudren, Chidren, Tridren). Some versions of the tigress story give that role to Yeshe Tsogyal instead; the Treasury of Lives biography of Yeshe Tsogyel has Yeshe Tsogyal herself flying to Taktsang as a tigress.

eighth–ninth centuries · Dzogchen Semde and Longde; Nyingma kama

Vairotsana

Vairocana, Berotsana, Pagor Vairotsana, Lochen Vairotsana; bai ro tsa na

Translator · Dzogchen lineage · Lineage holder

Vairotsana, of the Pagor clan, is regarded as the greatest early Tibetan translator. He was among the first seven monks ordained by Śāntarakṣita, and Trisong Detsen sent him to India, where his main teacher was Śrī Siṃha. Opponents at court had him exiled to eastern Tibet, where he taught Yudra Nyingpo and others before the king recalled him. With Padmasambhava and Vimalamitra he is one of the three masters credited with bringing Dzogchen to Tibet, especially the Mind and Space classes.

Known for Translation of early Dzogchen Semde texts; tradition of Yantra Yoga; The Great Image (his life story)

Treasury of Lives has no full biography (stub P5013). Bon sources also claim him as a disciple of Drenpa Namkha. Exactly how many translations he made cannot be determined.

eighth–ninth century · One of the twenty-five disciples

Yeshe Yang

Ba Yeshe Yang (sba ye shes dbyangs); identified by Treasury of Lives with Ba Selnang

Translator · Yogi/yogini

Yeshe Yang is counted among the twenty-five disciples. He is credited with writing down and hiding many of Padmasambhava's treasure teachings, and tradition holds he learned the secret ḍākinī script directly from the ḍākinīs. Treasury of Lives identifies him with Ba Selnang, the minister sent to invite Śāntarakṣita, one of the first ordained Tibetans and traditional author of the Testament of Ba.

Known for Scribe and concealer of treasures; Testament of Ba (sba bzhed) attributed to Ba Selnang

Whether he is the same person as Ba Selnang is uncertain. Rigpa Wiki's list of the 'seven men to be tested' names Ba Selnang separately, with no link to Yeshe Yang. The Treasury of Lives date box gives d. 862, which is very late for a minister of Trisong Detsen.

mid-eighth to early ninth century · One of the twenty-five disciples

Denma Tsemang

ldan ma rtse mang

Translator · Scholar

Denma Tsemang, from Denma in Kham, was a Sanskrit scholar and translator. He served on Śāntarakṣita's team translating Vinaya, sūtra and Abhidharma, and on Padmasambhava's team translating sādhanas. He is credited with an elegant style of Tibetan calligraphy and perfect recall. As a scribe he is said to have written out teachings later revealed as treasure, including Nyangrel Nyima Özer's Gathering of the Sugatas (Deshek Düpa).

Known for Calligraphy; scribe of the Kagye Deshek Düpa treasure; source materials for Orgyen Lingpa's Gyalpo Kathang

mid-eighth to early ninth century · Imperial translation bureau; one of the twenty-five disciples

Nanam Yeshe De

Zhang Yeshe De, Nanam Zhang Yeshe De; sna nam ye shes sde

Translator · Scholar

Yeshe De of the Nanam clan was one of the three leading translators of the imperial period and is counted among the twenty-five disciples. He was one of the most prolific translators in Tibetan history: one modern count lists 347 works, done with fifteen Indian scholars including Dānaśīla. He is also credited with translating Nyingma tantras. Nyingma tradition remembers him as a Vajrakīla master and tradition holds he could fly like a bird.

Known for Hundreds of canonical translations; Vajrakīla

eighth–ninth century · Yangdak Heruka; one of the twenty-five disciples

Dre Gyalwai Lodro

Gyalwai Lodro of the Dre clan; 'bre rgyal ba'i blo gros

Translator · Yogi/yogini

Gyalwai Lodro of the Dre clan was an administrator under Trisong Detsen before taking ordination in India, where he received Yangdak Heruka teachings from the siddha Hūṃkāra. Back in Tibet he worked as a translator and is counted among the twenty-five disciples. Tradition credits him with extraordinary powers, including bringing back the dead and great longevity.

Known for Yangdak Heruka practice

The Treasury of Lives date box says early to late ninth century, but its text makes him an official of Trisong Detsen, which puts him in the late eighth century. Tradition says he lived for more than three hundred years.

late eighth century (reigned under two years in the late 790s) · Imperial Tibet; Vima Nyingtik

Mune Tsenpo

Mune Tsepo (mu ne btsan po)

King/patron

Mune Tsenpo was the eldest son of Trisong Detsen and briefly succeeded him as ruler. Histories say he pushed Buddhist-inspired reforms, including attempts to share out wealth equally, and that he was poisoned by his mother, Queen Tsepongza, after less than two years. Nyingma accounts list him among the five who received the Vima Nyingtik from Vimalamitra.

Known for Brief reign; recipient of Vimalamitra's Nyingtik

Tibetan and modern histories disagree about the number, names and order of Trisong Detsen's sons.

eighth–ninth centuries · Vima Nyingtik

Nyang Tingdzin Zangpo

myang ting 'dzin bzang po

Lineage holder · Dzogchen lineage · King/patron

Nyang Tingdzin Zangpo was a court priest and minister under Trisong Detsen and later kings, and a key link in the Vima Nyingtik lineage. Early accounts credit him with urging the king to invite Vimalamitra. He was one of five Tibetans to receive the innermost Nyingtik from Vimalamitra in secret at Samye. He later built the Zhwa Lhakhang temple and hid the Nyingtik texts there. Tradition holds that after decades of practice he attained the rainbow body.

Known for Concealment of the Vima Nyingtik texts at Zhwa Lhakhang

Words of My Perfect Teacher instead credits him with suggesting the invitation of Śāntarakṣita.

eighth–ninth centuries · Dzogchen Semde; one of the twenty-five disciples

Yudra Nyingpo

Gyalmo Yudra Nyingpo; g.yu sgra snying po

Translator · Dzogchen lineage · Lineage holder

Yudra Nyingpo, from Gyalmo Tsawarong in eastern Tibet, was a translator and scholar who studied with Vairotsana during his exile and later with Vimalamitra and Padmasambhava. He is credited with translating the last thirteen of the eighteen basic Semde (Mind Class) texts. He is counted among the twenty-five disciples, and Nyak Jñānakumāra's lineage counts him as one of its four sources.

Known for Translation of thirteen of the eighteen Semde texts

Treasury of Lives has only a stub (P2JM106). Tradition regards him as the immediate rebirth of Vairotsana's earlier disciple Lui Gyaltsen (not confirmed in the sources opened). His Gyalmorong origin comes from the 'Gyalmo' in his name as given by Rigpa Wiki.

761–815 (reigned c. 804–814/817) · Imperial Tibet

Mutik Tsenpo (Tride Songtsen)

Tride Songtsen, Senalek Jingyön; mu tig btsan po, khri lde srong btsan, sad na legs

King/patron

Mutik Tsenpo was the youngest son of Trisong Detsen, born to Queen Droza Changchub, and is remembered as a disciple of Padmasambhava. Under the name Tride Songtsen (Senalek) he became king after Mune Tsenpo and continued royal support for Buddhism for about a decade. His sons included the kings Ralpachen and Langdarma.

Known for Continued imperial patronage of Buddhism; father of Ralpachen

The end of his reign is given as 814 or 817. Some modern works treat Mutik and Murub as the same person.

late eighth to early ninth century · Nyingma; root incarnation of Chokgyur Lingpa

Murub Tsenpo

Murum Tsepo, Muruk Tsenpo, Yeshe Rolpa Tsal, Lhase Lotsawa, Damdzin; mu rub btsan po

King/patron · Lineage holder

Murub Tsenpo, the prince known in Nyingma tradition as Lhase Damdzin, was the second of Trisong Detsen's three sons, born to Queen Tsepongza. He is remembered as a close disciple of Padmasambhava. Tradition holds that he was reborn as a treasure revealer thirteen times, most recently as the nineteenth-century tertön Chokgyur Dechen Lingpa.

Known for Prince-disciple of Padmasambhava; root incarnation of later tertöns

Histories often confuse or merge the princes. Rigpa Wiki says he was born to Tsepongza, while Erik Haarh's list (cited there) gives Muruk and Mutik as different sons. 'Mutri Tsenpo' has its own Rigpa page, but some sources treat Mutri and Murub as the same prince. Check every prince identification against the source used.

late eighth to early ninth century · Imperial Tibet

Mutri Tsenpo

mu khri btsan po

King/patron

Mutri Tsenpo is named as a son of Trisong Detsen. Little reliable detail survives about him. In the Yeshe Tsogyal narratives, she and Kalasiddhi go to 'Mutri Tsenpo's court' at Samye, which suggests that in this literature he was the ruling prince after his father.

Known for Royal patron at Samye in the Yeshe Tsogyal narratives

Erik Haarh's list (cited by Rigpa Wiki) includes Mutri Tsenpo, but Dudjom Rinpoche's history names only Mune, Murub and Mutik. Some later sources identify Mutri with Murub or with the reigning prince. I could not confirm an independent biography; the court reference comes from Samye Institute's Kalasiddhi page.

eighth century (traditional) · Khandro Nyingtik

Princess Pemasel

Lhacham Pema Sal (pad+ma gsal)

Woman master

Pemasel is remembered as a daughter of King Trisong Detsen. Tradition holds that she died at age eight from a bee sting, and that Padmasambhava revived her and entrusted her with the Dzogchen cycle Heart Essence of the Ḍākinīs (Khandro Nyingtik). Yeshe Tsogyal is said to have concealed it, and her reincarnation Pema Ledreltsal revealed it in the fourteenth century. Longchenpa and Pema Lingpa are also counted among her later incarnations.

Known for Khandro Nyingtik transmission

Early historical sources do not record her. Treasury of Lives suggests her mother may be the Drom-clan queen known as Jangchubmen or Tri Gyelmotsen. It also cites Matthew Kapstein's theory that the legend grew from a Testament of Ba story about Ba Selnang's daughter being revived.

ninth century · One of the twenty-five disciples; Dzogchen Semde and Longde (from Vairotsana)

Lhalung Palgyi Dorje

Lhalung Pelgyi Dorje; lha lung dpal gyi rdo rje

Yogi/yogini · Lineage holder

Lhalung Palgyi Dorje was a soldier who, sickened by war on the Chinese frontier, took up religious life. He was ordained at Samye and received teachings from Padmasambhava, Jinamitra, Kawa Paltsek and Vairotsana. He is best known for assassinating King Langdarma in the mid-ninth century. In the traditional account he did it while performing a ritual dance, with a bow hidden in his robe, and then escaped to Amdo on a charcoal-blackened white horse. An early inscription at Yerpa suggests he was a monk, not a lay tantric practitioner.

Known for Assassination of Langdarma (c. 842); Drak Yerpa

Treasury of Lives gives early to mid ninth century and Langdarma's reign as 841–842; other sources date the assassination to c. 842 or 846. His birthplace is given as Drom Tö Gungmoche or Lhalung in Lhodrak. Accounts differ on whether Vimalamitra ordained him. If he lived in the ninth century, direct study with Padmasambhava is chronologically doubtful.

806–838 (reigned 815–838) · Imperial Tibet

King Ralpachen

Tri Ralpachen, Tritsuk Detsen; khri ral pa can

King/patron

Ralpachen, grandson of Trisong Detsen and son of Tride Songtsen, is counted as the third of Tibet's three great dharma kings. He sponsored temple building and invited Indian scholars such as Surendrabodhi and Dānaśīla. He also ordered the revision of translation terms that produced the standardized Tibetan Buddhist vocabulary. He was assassinated in 838, and his brother Langdarma's reign began the collapse of imperial patronage.

Known for Translation standardization; the 'three ancestral dharma kings'

Tradition credits him with building a thousand temples, which should be read as a traditional figure. His name means 'the one with long locks'.

ninth–tenth century (often given as 832–c. 942/962) · Anuyoga (Sūtra that Gathers the Intentions); Mahāyoga; Yamāntaka; Nyingma kama

Nubchen Sangye Yeshe

Nub Sangye Yeshe, Dorje Tritsuk; gnubs chen sangs rgyas ye shes

Lineage holder · Scholar · Commentator

Nubchen Sangye Yeshe, from the Nub clan in Drak, studied with many Tibetan and Indian teachers, including Nyak Jñānakumāra's disciples Sokpo Palgyi Yeshe and Odren Palgyi Zhönnu. He is said to have travelled to India and Nepal seven times, and in Gilgit he trained in the Anuyoga root tantra, the Sūtra that Gathers the Intentions. He kept tantric Buddhism going after imperial patronage ended under Langdarma, and histories tell of him frightening the king with magical displays. His treatise Armor Against Darkness, a commentary on that tantra, helped shape the later Nyingma school.

Known for Armor Against Darkness (mun pa'i go cha); Lamp for the Eye of Contemplation (bsam gtan mig sgron, traditionally attributed); Drak Yangdzong hermitage

His dates are very uncertain. Treasury of Lives says sources give a water-mouse or wood-mouse year (772/774, or more likely 832/844), with 784 also found. Its date box reads 832–942, and other Treasury of Lives pages give c. 832–c. 962. He claimed to have met Padmasambhava, and later histories count him among the twenty-five disciples, but Treasury of Lives considers it unlikely he lived early enough. The attribution of the Lamp for the Eye of Contemplation comes from general scholarship, not from the page cited.

c. 10th–11th century · Kama; Dzogchen Mind Class (Semde), Aro tradition

Aro Yeshe Jungne

Aro; a ro ye shes 'byung gnas

Dzogchen lineage · Lineage holder · Yogi/yogini

An early Dzogchen master of eastern Tibet whose name is attached to the Aro tradition of the Mind Class (Semde), a line described as passing from the translator Vairocana through Nyak Jñānakumāra to Aro and on to later Nyingma and Kagyu teachers. A student of his, Yazi Bonton, is said to have passed these lineages to Rongzom Chökyi Zangpo. Little is known about his life beyond his place in these lineages.

Known for Aro tradition of Dzogchen Semde (the 'Great Guidance of Aro'); Patrul Rinpoche later compiled instructions attributed to him

Treasury of Lives has no full biography, only mentions in other entries. Its Patrul Rinpoche entry dates him to the 13th century, but its Rongzom entry places his student before Rongzom (11th century), and most other sources say 10th century. The 13th-century date looks like an error.

uncertain (listed as c. 10th–11th century) · Early terma (medical treasures)

Dorbum Chökyi Drakpa

Dorje Bum; rdor 'bum chos kyi grags pa

Treasure revealer

An early treasure revealer from Ngari, known mainly for medical revelations. In his short entry in Jamgön Kongtrul's Hundred Tertöns he is called an emanation of Orgyen Drubpai Nyingpo. Tradition says he recovered the Dütsi Bumpa ('Vase of Nectar') cycles on healing from a Hayagrīva statue at the border-taming temple of Pradün Tse, and that their empowerments were still being practiced in Kongtrul's time.

Known for Dütsi Bum Chen and Dütsi Bum Chung medical treasure cycles

Very little is known about him and his dates are not established. The Tsadra Rinchen Terdzö database marks his period with a question mark. There is no Treasury of Lives biography.

1000–1080 (traditional) · Early terma

Sangye Lama

Drodul Sangye Lama; sangs rgyas bla ma

Treasure revealer

Tradition counts Sangye Lama as the first of the treasure revealers (tertöns) who recovered teachings said to have been hidden by Guru Rinpoche. He is described as a contemporary of the translator Rinchen Zangpo and as the first in a line of thirteen rebirths of Gyalsé Lharjé, a grandson of King Trisong Detsen, a line that later included Jamyang Khyentse Wangpo.

Known for Tsasum Drildrup (Condensed Practice of the Three Roots), later re-revealed by Jamyang Khyentse Wangpo

The dates 1000–1080 come from tradition (Rigpa Wiki, Rangjung Yeshe Wiki) and cannot be checked independently. Treasury of Lives has no biography.

1002–1062 · Zur; Kama

Zurpoche Shakya Jungne

Zurchen; Upalungpa; zur po che shAkya 'byung gnas

Lineage holder · Monastery founder · Yogi/yogini

The first of the 'three great Zurs,' a family who were among the main channels of the Nyingma Kama (oral) transmission. Born in Kham, he studied with many teachers and is credited with putting the Old Translation tantras into order: he sorted root tantras from explanatory tantras, matched texts with their commentaries and rituals, and named the root texts of Mahāyoga, Anuyoga and Atiyoga. He founded Ukpalung in the Tanak valley of Tsang and spent long periods in retreat.

Known for Codifying the Nyingma tantras; founding Ukpalung and Dropuk; said to be the first to separate the Nyingma teachings into Kama and Terma

1012–1090 · Early terma; also Kadam, Zhije

Drapa Ngönshe

Sherab Gyalwa; Wangchuk Bar; grwa pa mngon shes

Treasure revealer · Monastery founder · Abbot

A monk of the Eastern Vinaya revival who was ordained at Samye. Later he gave up his vows and lived as a lay tantric teacher. He studied with Padampa Sangye and is remembered as an early teacher of Machik Labdrön. Tradition credits him with recovering the Four Tantras (Gyüshi), the root texts of Tibetan medicine, from Samye in 1038, and he founded Dratang Monastery in 1081.

Known for Revealing the Four Medical Tantras; founding Dratang Monastery; a treasure inventory later used by Guru Chöwang

The dates 1012–1090 come from BDRC. Jamgön Kongtrul places his birth in the first sexagenary cycle, and the Rangjung Yeshe Wiki reads this as roughly 1072–1150. Treasury of Lives calls the medical treasure story a legend; modern scholars generally link the Four Tantras' final form to Yutok Yönten Gönpo.

1014–1074 · Zur; Kama

Zurchung Sherab Drakpa

Zurchungpa; Gyawopa; zur chung shes rab grags pa

Lineage holder · Yogi/yogini

The second of the three great Zurs: a relative, student and chief heir of Zurpoche. He spent thirteen years in retreat at the cave of Drak Gyawo, which gave him the name Gyawopa. Four students who had been sent to debate him became his disciples instead, and are known as the 'Four Pillars.' He died of smallpox at his hermitage.

Known for Main heir of the Zur Kama lineage; the Four Pillars disciples; 'Eighty Chapters of Personal Advice' attributed to him

flourished late 11th century (birth given as 1012, 1040 or 1042) · Kama

Rongzom Chökyi Zangpo

Rongzom Pandita; Rongzom Mahāpaṇḍita; rong zom chos kyi bzang po

Scholar · Translator · Commentator

A lay scholar and translator from Tsang, counted with Longchenpa and Mipham among the greatest Nyingma thinkers. He worked with visiting Indian paṇḍitas on translations and wrote commentaries in a polished Indian style when many people doubted that a Tibetan could author Buddhist treatises. Tradition says a gathering of scholars met to censure him, but after reading his works they asked to become his students. His Entering the Way of the Great Vehicle is a major early defense of Dzogchen.

Known for Commentary on the Guhyagarbha Tantra (the 'Jewel Commentary'); Entering the Way of the Great Vehicle; commentary on Padmasambhava's Garland of Views

His dates are uncertain. Sources give 1012–1088 (Tarthang Tulku), 1012–1131 (Bradburn), 1042–1136 (BDRC) and a birth in 1040 (colophon of the 1999 Collected Works). The Blue Annals has a student with him in 1139. Treasury of Lives says only that he flourished in the late 11th century, possibly into the 12th.

11th–12th century · Vima Nyingtik

Chetsün Senge Wangchuk

lce btsun seng ge dbang phyug

Dzogchen lineage · Yogi/yogini · Lineage holder

A member of the Che clan of Ü and the main disciple of Dangma Lhungyal. He organized the Nyingtik teachings he received and spent the rest of his life in retreat. Tradition says he had a two-week visionary meeting with Vimalamitra at Chimpu, hid his Nyingtik texts as treasure in three places, and dissolved into rainbow light at Uyuk after entrusting his lineage to Zhangtön Tashi Dorje.

Known for Systematizing the Vima Nyingtik; later identified as a past life of Jamyang Khyentse Wangpo (Chetsün Nyingtik)

Treasury of Lives dates him to the 12th century; other sources say the 10th–11th century. The tradition that he lived to 125 is the usual way of reconciling these dates.

11th century · Vima Nyingtik

Dangma Lhungyal

ldang ma lhun rgyal

Treasure revealer · Dzogchen lineage · Lineage holder

A caretaker monk of the Zha Lhakhang north of Lhasa. He is credited with finding the Seventeen Tantras of Dzogchen Menngakde, which tradition says Vimalamitra's disciple Nyang Tingdzin Zangpo hid there. He is said to have kept them to himself for fifteen years before passing them to Chetsün Senge Wangchuk. Tradition regards him as an emanation of Vimalamitra.

Known for Recovering the Nyingtik tantras at Zha Lhakhang

Almost nothing is known of his life. Some sources say he also received an oral transmission from Be Lodrö Wangchuk.

1055–1149 · Chöd (also counted in Nyingma, Kadam and Zhije contexts)

Machik Labdrön

Ma gcig lab sgron

Woman master · Yogi/yogini · Lineage holder

One of the few Tibetan women to found a lasting teaching tradition. She is remembered mainly as the source of Chöd, a practice based on the Prajñāpāramitā that cuts through clinging to a self. As a young woman she worked as a reader of Prajñāpāramitā texts for the Nyingma-connected teacher Drapa Ngönshe. Later she married the Indian yogi Topa Bhadra and eventually settled at Zangri Kangmar, where a community gathered around her.

Known for Founding the Chöd tradition; Zangri Kangmar

Her main tie is to Chöd rather than to the Nyingma. She is listed here because of her link to Drapa Ngönshe and because Treasury of Lives lists Nyingma among her traditions. Her hagiographies differ a great deal, including on her birthplace and on how many children she had. Treasury of Lives notes there is little evidence that Padampa Sangye passed Chöd to her directly.

1074–1134 · Zur; Kama

Drophukpa Shakya Senge

Dropukpa Chenpo; Zur Shakya Senge; sgro phug pa

Lineage holder · Scholar

The third of the three great Zurs. He was the son of Zurchung Sherab Drakpa, born in the year his father died, and became his chief heir. He received the Zur family's teaching lineages from his father's main students and taught the Guhyagarbha and other Kama transmissions widely. Through disciples such as Dzamtön Drowai Gönpo, his lineage reached Katok's founder, Dampa Deshek.

Known for Spreading the Zur exegesis of the Guhyagarbha Tantra; Dropuk

Treasury of Lives has no dedicated biography. His dates and parentage come from its Zurchungpa and Dampa Deshek entries. Some other sources give only his birth year.

1097–1167 · Vima Nyingtik

Zhangtön Tashi Dorje

Gyalwa Zhangtön; zhang ston bkra shis rdo rje

Treasure revealer · Dzogchen lineage · Lineage holder

A Dzogchen master from Yardrok who, according to the histories, recovered Nyingtik treasure texts from a cliff in the Uyuk valley that Chetsün Senge Wangchuk had hidden there. He also received the Nyingtik transmission directly from Chetsün and passed it to his son Nyima Bum. Through this family line the Vima Nyingtik reached Melong Dorje, Kumaradza and Longchenpa.

Known for Recovering the Nyingtik treasures at Uyuk; key link in the Vima Nyingtik lineage

The dates 1097–1167 follow Treasury of Lives and Lotsawa House. A footnote in the Lotsawa House translation notes that Nyoshul Khenpo gives a conflicting month for his death. Treasury of Lives says Chetsün hid the texts at Uyuk; Longchenpa's account describes the discovery without naming Chetsün as his teacher at that point.

1122–1192 · Katok; Kama

Katok Dampa Deshek

Dampa Deshek Sherab Senge; Gewa Pel

Monastery founder · Lineage holder · Abbot

A master from Kham, closely related to the Kagyu teacher Phagmodrupa. He studied widely with Sakya, Kadam, Kagyu and Nyingma teachers. From Dzamtön Drowai Gönpo, a disciple of Drophukpa, he received the Zur Kama transmissions of the Guhyagarbha and Dzogchen Semde. In 1159 he founded Katok Dorje Den in Kham, which became the main eastern seat of the Kama lineage.

Known for Founding Katok Monastery (1159), the first of the great Nyingma monasteries of Kham

1124–1192 · Nyang clan; early terma (counted first of the five 'king' tertöns)

Nyangrel Nyima Özer

Ngadak Nyang; Nyang Ral Nyima Özer; nyang ral nyi ma 'od zer

Treasure revealer · Monastery founder · King/patron

A lay tantric of the Nyang clan from Lhodrak who is traditionally counted among the first great treasure revealers. He said he was the rebirth of King Trisong Detsen. Working from his hermitage at Mawochok, he recovered texts and objects from imperial-era sites. His Copper Island (Zangling Ma) is the first full life story of Padmasambhava and shaped how later Tibetans told the story of Guru Rinpoche and the conversion of Tibet.

Known for Kabgye Deshek Düpa (Eight Commands); the Maṇi Kabum; the Zangling Ma biography of Padmasambhava; a history of Buddhism (Flower Nectar); Mawochok

1158–1213 · Vima Nyingtik

Nyima Bum

Khepa Nyibum; Zhang Nyima Bum; nyi ma 'bum

Dzogchen lineage · Lineage holder · Commentator

The son and heir of Zhangtön Tashi Dorje. He mastered the Vima Nyingtik in his childhood and wrote a commentary called the Great Meaning of Words. After his father died he also studied Sakya and Tsalpa Kagyu tantric systems, then passed the Nyingtik on to his nephew Guru Jober.

Known for Tsikdön Chenmo commentary on the Nyingtik

Sources disagree on how long he studied with his father: the Blue Annals says eleven years, while Nyoshul Khenpo says from age five to eleven.

c. 1164/1176 – c. 1235 · Nyang clan; Nyangrel's treasures

Namkha Pel

Ngadak Drogön Namkha Pel; mnga' bdag 'gro mgon nam mkha' dpal

Lineage holder · Abbot · King/patron

The younger son and chosen heir of Nyangrel Nyima Özer, and abbot of Mawochok after his father died. He revealed no treasures himself. Instead he hosted teachers from other schools and sponsored projects, including a great reliquary for his father, which he invited Śākyaśrībhadra to consecrate. He also sponsored early tantra collections that seem to have been forerunners of the Nyingma Gyübum. He passed Nyangrel's treasures to the young Guru Chöwang.

Known for Developing Mawochok; patronage of early Nyingma tantra compilations; transmitting Nyangrel's lineage to Guru Chöwang

His birth year is uncertain (c. 1164 or 1176), and his death is placed in the early-to-mid 13th century, perhaps 1235 or 1236.

1196–1255 · Vima Nyingtik

Guru Jober

Zhang Jober; gu ru jo 'ber

Dzogchen lineage · Lineage holder

A grandson of Zhangtön Tashi Dorje. He received the full Nyingtik transmission from his uncle Nyima Bum, who named him as successor. He also studied with Sakya and other New Translation teachers, and passed the lineage on to Trulzhik Senge Gyabpa.

Known for Holding the Vima Nyingtik lineage between Nyima Bum and Trulzhik Senge Gyabpa

Some sources say he was Nyima Bum's son, not his nephew.

1212–1270 · Early terma (counted second of the five 'king' tertöns); Lama Sangdü

Guru Chöwang

Guru Chökyi Wangchuk; gu ru chos kyi dbang phyug

Treasure revealer · Monastery founder · Commentator

A treasure revealer from Lhodrak who received Nyangrel's treasures from Nyangrel's son and was later regarded as Nyangrel's rebirth. Starting from an inventory said to have been found by Drapa Ngönshe, he is credited with eighteen caches of earth treasure and one of mind treasure. He was also one of the first to write about the treasure tradition: he set out what a complete treasure cycle should contain (Guru, Dzogchen and Avalokiteśvara practices), and he openly named some treasures he considered false. His consort was the tertön Jomo Menmo.

Known for Lama Sangdü; Kabgye Sangwa Yongdzok; Great History of Treasures (Terjung Chenmo); Layak Guru Lhakhang at Lhalung

Treasury of Lives notes that his Lama Sangdü cycle on Padmasambhava contains the Seven-Line Supplication, and he is widely credited as the first tertön to reveal it.

1243–1303 · Vima Nyingtik

Melong Dorje

me long rdo rje

Treasure revealer · Dzogchen lineage · Yogi/yogini

A yogi from the Drak valley who received the Nyingtik instructions from Trulzhik Senge Gyabpa and studied with more than a dozen other teachers, including Zhije masters. He travelled to hidden lands such as Khenpajong and is said to have revealed a Dzogchen treasure of Vimalamitra at Drak Yongdzong, later known as the Melong Nyingtik. His main student was Rigdzin Kumaradza.

Known for Melong Nyingtik; Kharchu in Lhodrak; teacher of Kumaradza

1248–1283 · Early terma

Jomo Menmo

Pema Tsokyi; Kalden Jomen; jo mo sman mo

Treasure revealer · Woman master · Yogi/yogini

One of the earliest women counted among the treasure revealers, born in Eyul near Zarmolung in southern Tibet. Her hagiography says that at thirteen, while herding cattle, she was shown a cave where Vajravārāhī gave her the Khandro Sangwa Kündü (Gathering of All the Ḍākinīs' Secrets). Her neighbours doubted her, and the name 'Jomo Menmo' refers to their belief that she was possessed by a menmo spirit. She became a consort of Guru Chöwang, then travelled through Ü and Tsang with two female companions. Tradition says the three of them flew from Drak Lhari to Zangdok Palri.

Known for Khandro Sangwa Kündü, re-revealed by Jamyang Khyentse Wangpo and included in the Rinchen Terdzö

Almost everything known about her comes from a hagiography written much later by Jamgön Kongtrul. Treasury of Lives points out that a story of her meeting the Kagyu master Lingje Repa (1128–1188) cannot be true given her dates. Some sources, such as the Aro encyclopaedia, call her a rebirth of Machik Labdrön; the tradition more often links her to Yeshe Tsogyal.

uncertain (probably 13th century) · Early terma (medical treasures)

Ramo Shelmen

Yeshe Zangpo; ra mo shel sman

Treasure revealer

A tantric physician from Ramo Menchukha in Yarlung. Jamgön Kongtrul's Hundred Tertöns calls him an emanation of Nyak Jñānakumāra and gives his real name as Yeshe Zangpo. He is said to have recovered Guru, Dzogchen and Avalokiteśvara teachings and the Dorje Dütsi cycle at Yarlung Sheldrak, along with medical teachings. He became known mainly for medicine, and his treasure lines were said to survive chiefly in healing practices. Jamyang Khyentse Wangpo later restored his Dorje Dütsi cycle.

Known for Dorje Dütsi (Vajra Amrita) cycle; medical treasures

I could not find firm dates. The prophecy Kongtrul quotes mentions Mongol 'patron-priest' ties, which suggests the 13th century or later, but this is an inference. There is no Treasury of Lives biography.

1266–1343 · Vima Nyingtik

Rigdzin Kumaradza

Kumārarāja; Zhönnu Gyalpo; rig 'dzin ku mA ra dza

Dzogchen lineage · Lineage holder · Yogi/yogini

Born near Lhasa and ordained at twelve, he studied with many Kagyu and Nyingma teachers. He served Melong Dorje for years, receiving the complete Nyingtik from him and working as an artist to support himself while he copied texts. He was a teacher of the Third Karmapa, Rangjung Dorje. He is best remembered as Longchenpa's root guru: he gave Longchenpa the whole Nyingtik corpus in the 1330s, teaching from simple encampments in the mountains.

Known for Root teacher of Longchenpa; teacher of the Third Karmapa; a concise manual on Kabgye creation-stage practice

1284–1365 · Zur; Kama (also Karma Kagyu)

Yungtön Dorje Pal

Yungtönpa; Dorje Bum; g.yung ston rdo rje dpal

Scholar · Commentator · Lineage holder

A scholar of the Len clan who received the Zur lineage tantras (Gathering of Intentions, Māyājāla and Dzogchen Semde) from Zurtön Jampa Senge. He wrote the Clear Mirror, a widely respected commentary on the Guhyagarbha. He also studied with Butön and with the Third Karmapa, from whom he received Mahāmudrā and, by some accounts, Dzogchen, and he taught the Fourth Karmapa.

Known for The 'Clear Mirror' commentary on the Guhyagarbha Tantra

He is included as a link from the Zur Kama line into the 14th century. Some sources give other death years; Treasury of Lives gives 1365. Geluk tradition later counted him as a predecessor in the Panchen Lama line.

1291–1315 · Khandro Nyingtik

Pema Ledrel Tsal

Tsultrim Dorje; Rinchen Tsuldor; padma las 'brel rtsal

Treasure revealer

A treasure revealer descended from Nyangrel Nyima Özer's family and regarded as a rebirth of Princess Pema Sal, daughter of Trisong Detsen. In his twenty-third year he is said to have recovered the Khandro Nyingtik (Heart Essence of the Ḍākinīs) at Tramo Drak in Dakpo, along with other cycles. He gave the teachings to the Third Karmapa and to Gyalse Lekpa before dying young. Tradition regards Longchenpa as his immediate rebirth, and Longchenpa later made the Khandro Nyingtik part of the Nyingtik Yabzhi.

Known for Revealing the Khandro Nyingtik

Most sources (Lotsawa House, Tsadra) give his death as 1315, following Kongtrul's statement that he died in his twenty-fifth year. Treasury of Lives' Gyalse Lekpa entry gives 1319.

1290–1366 · Khandro Nyingtik

Gyalse Lekpa

Gyalse Lekden, Sho Gyalse Lekpa

Lineage holder · Dzogchen lineage

Gyalse Lekpa was the main disciple of Pema Ledrel Tsal and the person through whom the Khandro Nyingtik survived after the revealer's early death. He passed the cycle to Longchenpa, whom the tradition regards as Pema Ledrel Tsal's rebirth, and to the Third Karmapa, Rangjung Dorje. In turn he received teachings from Rangjung Dorje, including the Karma Nyingtik.

Known for Link between Pema Ledrel Tsal and Longchenpa in the Khandro Nyingtik lineage

1308–1364 · Vima Nyingtik; Khandro Nyingtik; later Longchen Nyingtik

Longchen Rabjam

Longchenpa, Drimé Özer, Kunkhyen (Omniscient) Longchenpa, Tsultrim Lodrö, Samyepa

Scholar · Yogi/yogini · Lineage holder

Born in the Tra valley of central Tibet, Longchenpa was ordained at Samye and studied the full scholastic curriculum at the Kadam college of Sangpu Neutok, as well as receiving teachings from several schools, including from the Third Karmapa. After meeting Kumaradza he received the Nyingtik transmissions and spent much of his life in retreat, especially at Gangri Tokar. He wrote over 270 works, including the Seven Treasuries, and compiled the Nyingtik Yabshi. A political conflict sent him to Bhutan for about a decade, where he founded Tharpaling and other small temples and had a son and a daughter.

Known for Seven Treasuries; Trilogy of Natural Ease; Nyingtik Yabshi; Khandro Yangtik; Tharpaling (Bumthang)

fourteenth century · Northern Treasures (forerunner)

Tulku Zangpo Drakpa

Manglam Zangpo Drakpa

Treasure revealer

Zangpo Drakpa was a fourteenth-century treasure revealer best known for the Le'u Dünma, the Prayer in Seven Chapters to Guru Rinpoche. The cycle also contains the wish-fulfilling prayer Sampa Lhundrupma. According to the Northern Treasures histories, around 1364–65 he revealed prophetic texts and keys that were passed to Rigdzin Gödem and led to the revelation of the Northern Treasures. He also passed a practice text, the Blazing Wheel, to Rigdzin Gödem.

Known for Le'u Dünma (Prayer in Seven Chapters); Sampa Lhundrupma

No birth or death years are recorded. The Le'u Dünma (Seven Chapters) is a different prayer from the Seven-Line Prayer. Lotsawa House says its seventh chapter was given to the king of Gungtang.

1323–c. 1360 · Nyingma terma

Orgyen Lingpa

Urgyen Lingpa

Treasure revealer

Orgyen Lingpa was a fourteenth-century treasure revealer. He is said to have found a treasure inventory at Samye's Red Stupa in his early twenties and to have revealed around a hundred texts. His best-known revelations are the Pema Kathang, a long verse biography of Guru Rinpoche also called the Sheldrakma after the Crystal Cave at Yarlung, and the Kathang Denga (Five Chronicles) on the time of King Trisong Detsen. He appears to have clashed with the Pakmodru ruler Tai Situ Changchub Gyaltsen and died in exile in Dakpo.

Known for Pema Kathang (Sheldrakma); Kathang Denga

His death date is approximate and his birthplace is disputed: Chumopak in Lhodrak, or Yarje in Tranang. Rigpa Wiki gives only 'b. 1323' and counts him among the previous incarnations of Jigme Lingpa.

1326–1386 (often given only as fourteenth century) · Karling Zhitro (Peaceful and Wrathful Deities)

Karma Lingpa

Treasure revealer

Karma Lingpa was a fourteenth-century treasure revealer from southeastern Tibet, the eldest son of the tantric practitioner Nyida Sangye. At fifteen he is said to have revealed treasure texts on Mount Gampodar. They became the Zhitro Gongpa Rangdrol (Self-Liberation through the Intention of the Peaceful and Wrathful Ones), which includes the bardo teachings known in the West as the Tibetan Book of the Dead. He first passed the cycle to a single disciple, and it stayed in a one-to-one line for several generations before spreading widely.

Known for Zhitro Gongpa Rangdrol; Bardo Tödrol Chenmo (Tibetan Book of the Dead)

Wikipedia gives 1326–1386. Rigpa Wiki gives only 'b. 1326', and Lotsawa House gives 'b. 14th century'. Chögyam Trungpa held that his early students were mostly Kagyu and that the cycle passed through the Surmang monasteries before spreading in the Nyingma school.

1326–1401 · Nyingma (Lhodrak); later incarnation line of Lelung Shepé Dorje

Lhodrak Namkha Gyaltsen

Drupchen Lekyi Dorje, Drupchen Namkha Gyaltsen

Yogi/yogini · Lineage holder

Namkha Gyaltsen was a Nyingma adept of Lhodrak, known for his close connection with Vajrapani. He is best known as a teacher of Tsongkhapa, founder of the Geluk school. Tradition holds that when they met, each saw the other as a deity: Tsongkhapa as Manjushri and Namkha Gyaltsen as Vajrapani.

Known for Teacher of Tsongkhapa; Vajrapani-related practices

His affiliation is sometimes described as mixed. Rigpa Wiki calls him a Nyingma master; Lotsawa House lists him under the name Drupchen Lekyi Dorje and names Lelung Shepé Dorje as his later incarnation.

1337–1408 · Northern Treasures (Jangter)

Rigdzin Gödem

Rigdzin Gödemchen, Ngödrup Gyaltsen, Gökyi Demtruchen, first Dorje Drak Rigdzin

Treasure revealer · Monastery founder · Lineage holder

Rigdzin Gödem was born in Lato Jang in western Tibet and trained in Vajrakila practice under his father. His name means 'the one with vulture feathers': tradition holds that feather-like growths appeared on his head in his youth. In 1366, guided by prophetic scrolls that had passed to him from the treasure revealer Zangpo Drakpa, he revealed the Northern Treasures at Mount Trazang (Zangzang Lhadrak). The cycle centres on the Dzogchen collection Gongpa Zangtal and includes the Prayer of Samantabhadra (Kunzang Mönlam). He later served as chaplain to the king of Gungtang, founded Se Trazang monastery, and is credited with opening hidden lands including Sikkim, where he died.

Known for Northern Treasures; Gongpa Zangtal; Kunzang Mönlam; opening Sikkim as a hidden land

The death year varies. The Treasury of Lives essay (reproduced on Himalayan Art Resources) says he died in 1408 aged 71, but its header and Wikipedia give 1409. Rigpa Wiki, Lotsawa House and the Encyclopedia of Buddhism give 1337–1408. Accounts also differ on the age when the 'feathers' appeared (11 or 12; five by 23 or 24).

1340–1396 · Lama Gongdü

Sangye Lingpa

Sanggye Lingpa

Treasure revealer

Sangye Lingpa was a fourteenth-century treasure revealer. In 1364, at the cave of Puri Rinchen Barwa, he revealed the Lama Gongdü (Embodiment of the Guru's Realization), a guru-centred cycle that runs to about thirteen volumes. He also revealed the Kathang Sertreng (Golden Garland Chronicle), a life of Guru Rinpoche. Later masters, including Jigme Lingpa and Jamgön Kongtrul, practised the Lama Gongdü.

Known for Lama Gongdü; Kathang Sertreng (Golden Garland Chronicle)

The Treasury of Lives has no full biography of him yet. The 1364 revelation date and site come from Himalayan Art Resources (setID=59). Don't confuse him with the Bön teacher Sangye Lingpa (1705–1735).

1346–1405 · Dorje Lingpa terma (Bhutan and Tibet)

Dorje Lingpa

Orgyen Zangpo, Kunkyong Lingpa, Yungdrung Lingpa, Jampal Chökyi Shenyen

Treasure revealer · Yogi/yogini

Born in the Dranang valley of central Tibet, Dorje Lingpa is said to have revealed his first treasure at thirteen at the Tradruk temple. By twenty he had revealed a large body of Buddhist and Bön material on Dzogchen, medicine and astrology. He saw himself as an incarnation of Vairotsana. From 1370 he spent several years revealing treasure in what is now Bhutan, where he is credited with starting public treasure revelations before large crowds. He then taught in Tibet for three decades; his students included the Fourth Karmapa, Rolpai Dorje, and his family line continued in Bhutan through his son Chöying.

Known for Lama, Dzogchen and Avalokiteshvara trilogy; Tawa Longyang; Lama Kadü; Bön treasures

1356–1409 · Khandro Nyingtik; Longchenpa's line in Bhutan

Tulku Drakpa Özer

Gyalse Tulku Drakpa Özer

Lineage holder · Dzogchen lineage

Drakpa Özer was a disciple of Longchen Rabjam and a holder of the Khandro Nyingtik. The Khandro Nyingtik lineage prayer names him after Longchenpa and Jamyang Khyabdal Lhundrup. Longchenpa's family line continued in Bhutan through his descendants.

Known for Khandro Nyingtik lineage holder

Lotsawa House calls him only Longchenpa's disciple. Other reference works (Rangjung Yeshe Wiki, not opened directly) say he was Longchenpa's son by his Bhutanese consort, born near Tharpaling. Don't confuse him with the Sakya imperial preceptor Drakpa Özer (1246–1303).

1361?–1485 (other dates: 1385–1464, 1385–1509) · Mixed: Shangpa Kagyu (Chakzam/Iron-Bridge line), Sakya and Jonang ties, Nyingma treasure literature and Northern Treasures

Thangtong Gyalpo

Chakzampa (Iron-Bridge Builder), Tsöndrü Zangpo

Yogi/yogini · Treasure revealer · Monastery founder

Thangtong Gyalpo was a travelling siddha who built iron-chain suspension bridges across Tibet and Bhutan, founded temples including Chakzam Chuwori, and created medicinal and long-life formulas. Tibetan opera (Ache Lhamo) is traditionally credited to him, though some scholars doubt this. His affiliation was eclectic: he founded the Iron-Bridge branch of the Shangpa Kagyu and had close ties to the Sakya and Jonang schools. He combined Shangpa teachings with the Northern Treasures, and a large Nyingma literature of revealed treasure is attributed to him. Nyingma tradition regards him as an emanation of Guru Rinpoche's mind.

Known for Iron bridges; Chakzam lineage; long-life practice (Drubtob Tuktik); Chakzam Chuwori; association with Ache Lhamo

His dates are among the most disputed in Tibetan history: Lotsawa House gives 1361?–1485, Rigpa Wiki 1385–1509, Stearns 1385–1464, and Gerke 1361–1485. Accounts of the number of bridges also vary (58 or 108). His consorts included Chökyi Drönma and Ashe Drubtob Zangmo, Pema Lingpa's aunt.

1403–1479 · Ratna Lingpa terma

Ratna Lingpa

Zhikpo Lingpa, Drodül Lingpa

Treasure revealer · Lineage holder

Ratna Lingpa was born into a wealthy family in Drushul, Lhodrak, and was regarded as an incarnation of Langdro Könchok Jungne, one of Guru Rinpoche's twenty-five disciples. Tradition holds that in a vision Guru Rinpoche offered him three scrolls and he asked for all three. He therefore revealed in one life the treasures of three lifetimes, which is why he is also called Zhikpo Lingpa and Drodül Lingpa. From about age thirty he made twenty-five revelations, including the long-life Tsedrup Sangdü and the Purba Yangsang Lamé. He also compiled a large collection of Nyingma tantras that is said to have been the basis for later editions of the Nyingma Gyübum.

Known for Tsedrup Sangdü; Purba Yangsang Lamé; early compilation of the Nyingma Gyübum

Rigpa Wiki and the Encyclopedia of Buddhism give his death as 1478; Lotsawa House and the Treasury of Lives give 1479. His Lotsawa House texts include a four-line prayer to Padmasambhava, which is not the Seven-Line Prayer. Don't confuse him with the later Zhikpo Lingpa (1524–1583).

c. 1422–1455/56 (also given as d. 1467) · Bodongpa; Thangtong Gyalpo's tradition (not primarily Nyingma)

Chökyi Drönma

First Samding Dorje Phagmo

Woman master · Yogi/yogini · Lineage holder

Chökyi Drönma was a princess of Gungtang, daughter of King Tri Lhawang Gyaltsen. She left court life after her infant daughter died and studied with Bodong Chokle Namgyal. She later became a disciple and consort of Thangtong Gyalpo, who recognized her as an emanation of Vajravarahi, and she helped with his bridge projects. She is counted as the first in the Samding Dorje Phagmo line, the most prominent female incarnation line in Tibet.

Known for First Samding Dorje Phagmo; support of Thangtong Gyalpo's work

Included as a documented woman master closely tied to Thangtong Gyalpo, whom Himalayan Art Resources calls a Nyingma master. She belongs mainly to the Bodong tradition, not the Nyingma. Her death year is given as 1455 or 1456 at Tsari, with an alternative of 1467.

1450–1521 · Peling (Pema Lingpa) tradition, Bhutan

Pema Lingpa

Orgyen Pema Lingpa, Döndrup Gyalpo, Peljor, Terchen Pema Lingpa

Treasure revealer · Monastery founder · Lineage holder

Pema Lingpa was born at Chel Baridrang in Bhutan's Tang valley and worked as a blacksmith before beginning to reveal treasure at about twenty-seven. His first revelation was at Naring Drak. Tradition holds that, challenged by a doubtful governor, he dived into the lake below holding a lit butter lamp and came up with treasure and the lamp still burning; the lake has been called Mebartsho (Burning Lake) since. He made thirty-two revelations, including the Lama Norbu Gyatso and Kunzang Gongdü, and the sacred dances he received are still performed in Bhutan. In 1501 he founded Tamzhing Lhundrup Chöling in Bumthang, where he died. Bhutan's royal family traces its descent from him.

Known for Mebartsho revelation; Lama Norbu Gyatso; Kunzang Gongdü; Tamzhing monastery; Peling sacred dances

1452–1565 (also given as 1512–1625?) · Northern Treasures; Dorje Drak

Lekden Dorje

Lekden Dudjom Dorje, second Dorje Drak Rigdzin

Treasure revealer · Lineage holder · Yogi/yogini

Lekden Dorje came from a family of practitioners in Lowo (Mustang) and studied with his father, Jamyang Rinchen Gyaltsen. With his brother Ngari Panchen he received the Northern Treasures from Shakya Zangpo, who recognized him as Rigdzin Gödem's rebirth. The brothers founded a small tantric community, Evam Chokgar, near Samye. He expanded the Northern Treasures, made revelations of his own, and recognized Tashi Tobgyal as his brother's rebirth. He was later counted as the second Dorje Drak Rigdzin.

Known for Spreading the Northern Treasures; co-founder of Evam Chokgar (forerunner of Dorje Drak)

Sources disagree on his dates and on which brother was older. The Treasury of Lives (via Himalayan Art Resources and Tricycle) gives 1452–1565 and makes him the elder brother, while noting that some sources put his birth sixty years later. Rigpa Wiki and the Encyclopedia of Buddhism give 1512–1625? and describe him as the younger brother (the Encyclopedia of Buddhism is inconsistent). The '2nd Dorje Drak Rigdzin' title was given after his death.

fifteenth–sixteenth century (exact dates unknown) · Northern Treasures

Ngakchang Shakya Zangpo

First Yolmo Tulku

Treasure revealer · Lineage holder · Yogi/yogini

Shakya Zangpo was born in southern Lato in Tsang and studied with many Nyingma and Sarma teachers, including Pema Lingpa. He is credited with opening the hidden land of Yolmo in Nepal. At Samye he revealed a treasure about the Boudhanath stupa, which he then restored, and he also oversaw a restoration of Swayambhunath. At Yanglesho in Nepal he gave the full Northern Treasures transmission to the brothers Lekden Dorje and Ngari Panchen, and he identified Lekden Dorje as Rigdzin Gödem's rebirth.

Known for Opening Yolmo; restoration of Boudhanath and Swayambhu; passing on the Northern Treasures

His dates are not known; born_sort is an estimate from his study with Pema Lingpa (1450–1521). Tricycle's Treasury of Lives series calls him a close disciple of Godemchen, which doesn't fit the chronology unless it means a disciple in Godemchen's lineage.

1487–1542 · Northern Treasures; Nyingma kama and terma

Ngari Panchen Pema Wangyal

Pema Wangyi Gyalpo, Ngarpen

Scholar · Treasure revealer · Lineage holder

Ngari Panchen was born in Mustang into a family of practitioners and studied all classes of Nyingma tantra with his father. By about twenty he had become learned enough to earn the title Panchen (great scholar), and he was known for strict monastic discipline. With his brother Lekden Dorje he received the Northern Treasures from Shakya Zangpo and helped found Evam Chokgar near Samye. At Samye he revealed the Rigdzin Yongdü cycle. His Ascertaining the Three Vows (Domsum Namngé), a treatise on monastic, bodhisattva and tantric vows, is still studied in Nyingma colleges.

Known for Ascertaining the Three Vows (Domsum Namngé); Rigdzin Yongdü; co-founder of Evam Chokgar

1499–1587 · Peling (Pema Lingpa) tradition, Bhutan

Dawa Gyaltsen

Tukse Dawa Gyaltsen, First Peling Tukse

Lineage holder

Dawa Gyaltsen was a son of Pema Lingpa and his 'heart son', holding his father's hand when he died at Tamzhing in 1521. He is counted as the first of the Peling Tukse (Heart-Son) incarnations, one of the three main lines that carry on Pema Lingpa's teachings. According to some Bhutanese accounts he was the father of Pema Thrinle, the first Gangteng Tulku.

Known for First Peling Tukse; holder of his father's treasure lineage

Sources disagree on how the first Tukse, Sungtrul and Gangteng (Gyalse) incarnations were related. Some English sources give his death as 1586.

1509–1557 · Drikung Kagyu with Nyingma (Drikung Yangzab)

Drigung Rinchen Puntsok

Rinchen Puntsok Chökyi Gyalpo

Treasure revealer · Abbot · Lineage holder

Rinchen Puntsok was an abbot of Drigung monastery who retired from the throne in 1534 and set up a teaching camp at Yangri Gar. He was a treasure revealer whose Gongpa Yangzab became the basis of the Drikung lineage's Dzogchen teaching. He brought Nyingma scriptures and Longchenpa's works into Drikung practice and also held the Khandro Nyingtik and Northern Treasures. He trained the treasure revealer Trengpo Sherab Özer and took part in Ngari Panchen's reconsecration of Samye.

Known for Gongpa Yangzab (Drikung Yangzab Dzogchen)

His place in the Drigung abbatial numbering varies: Himalayan Art Resources calls him the seventeenth abbot, while some Drikung lists count him as eighteenth. The information comes from the biographies of his disciples Sherab Özer and Ngari Panchen on Himalayan Art Resources, not from a dedicated biography.

1518–1584 · Droltik (Gongpa Rangdrol); Pelri Tekchen Ling

Trengpo Tertön Sherab Özer

Drodül Lingpa, Prajñāraśmi

Treasure revealer · Scholar · Monastery founder

Sherab Özer was born into a nomad family in northern Tibet and first trained as a Sakya and Geluk scholar, earning the geshe title. At eighteen he became a disciple and heir of Drigung Rinchen Puntsok, from whom he received Kagyu and Nyingma transmissions, including the Khandro Nyingtik and the Northern Treasures. He revealed the Droltik Gongpa Rangdrol (Sphere of Liberation) cycle. In 1571, at the request of the rulers of Chonggye, he founded Pelri Tekchen Ling, an early major Nyingma monastery in that region.

Known for Droltik Gongpa Rangdrol; Pelri Tekchen Ling (Chonggye, 1571)

Rigpa Wiki gives his death as 1572 or 1584, and some sources give his birth as 1517. The Himalayan Art Resources biography (Marc-Henri Deroche, 2011) places his death in 1584. Rigpa Wiki names Tsele Natsok Rangdrol, Minling Terchen Gyurme Dorje and Pema Dechen Lingpa as his three rebirths.

1524–1583 · Zhikpo Lingpa terma (spread especially in Sikkim)

Zhikpo Lingpa

Shikpo Lingpa Gargyi Wangchuk Tsal, Tertön of Khyungtsang Drak

Treasure revealer · Lineage holder

Zhikpo Lingpa was a central Tibetan treasure revealer known for Avalokiteshvara cycles and rituals to turn back invading armies. Following a prophecy, in 1557 he built the Dorje Lhakhang northeast of Lhasa to protect the Jokhang from floods. In 1563 he revealed his best-known cycle, the Great Compassionate One Who Liberates from Samsara, at the Jokhang. His disciples included Sokdokpa Lodrö Gyaltsen and Ngadak Takshamchen. His daughter married the Drukpa hierarch Mipham Chögyal, an ancestor of Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal.

Known for Tukje Chenpo Khorwa Lesdrol (Avalokiteshvara cycle); army-repelling rites; Dorje Lhakhang in Lhasa

1536–1597 · Peling (Pema Lingpa) tradition, Bhutan

Peling Sungtrul Yenpa Lodé

Tendzin Chökyi Drakpa, Second Peling Sungtrul

Lineage holder

Yenpa Lodé was recognized as Pema Lingpa's direct rebirth and counted as the second Peling Sungtrul (Speech Incarnation). He taught Pema Thrinle, the first Gangteng Tulku, and helped carry on Pema Lingpa's lineage. The Sungtrul line, which counts Pema Lingpa as its first, is considered a continuation of Longchenpa's incarnations.

Known for Second Peling Sungtrul

Accounts differ: some make him a disciple of Dawa Gyaltsen and the father of Pema Thrinle. The current Gangteng Tulku explains that he raised Pema Thrinle after Dawa Gyaltsen's death. Rigpa Wiki's 'Pema Lingpa Incarnation Line' lists him second after Pema Lingpa.

c. 1550–1603 · Northern Treasures; Dorje Drak

Jangdak Tashi Tobgyal

Changdak Tashi Tobgyal, Chögyal Tashi Tobgyal

Lineage holder · King/patron · Treasure revealer

Tashi Tobgyal was a ruler of the Northern Plateau (Jang) and an important Northern Treasures master. Lekden Dorje recognized him as the rebirth of Ngari Panchen. He enlarged the Evam Chokgar community, gave the complete Northern Treasures to his son Ngagi Wangpo, and brought in other teachers to fill gaps in the transmissions. He is counted among the previous incarnations of Jigme Lingpa.

Known for Northern Treasures lineage; father and teacher of Rigdzin Ngagi Wangpo

His birth year is uncertain (c. 1550) and his death is sometimes given as 1602. The Guru Rinpoche biography Ocean of Perfect Wonder was once credited to him, but Franz-Karl Ehrhard showed from the colophon that Jamyang Sönam Wangpo and his father Kunga Rinchen wrote it. I did not confirm 'Drodul Lekdro Lingpa' as one of his names.

1552–1624 · Zhikpo Lingpa's tradition; Vajrakilaya

Sokdokpa Lodrö Gyaltsen

Sokdokpa ('Repeller of Mongols')

Scholar · Commentator · Yogi/yogini

Sokdokpa was a scholar and ritual master whose main teacher was Zhikpo Lingpa; he wrote his teacher's biography. He is known for writings defending the Nyingma school against its critics, for a history of the Vajrakilaya teachings, and for a biography of Guru Rinpoche, Dispelling Mind's Darkness. His name comes from the rituals he and Zhikpo Lingpa performed to turn back Mongol invasions.

Known for Defences of the Nyingma (e.g. Thunder of Definitive Meaning); history of Vajrakilaya; Guru Rinpoche biography

1564–1642 · Peling (Pema Lingpa) tradition, Bhutan

Gangteng Gyalse Pema Thrinle

First Gangteng Tulku, First Peling Gyalse

Lineage holder · Monastery founder

Pema Thrinle was the first of the Peling Gyalse (Gangteng Tulku) incarnations, the third main line carrying Pema Lingpa's teachings. He was regarded as an activity emanation of both Pema Lingpa and Guru Rinpoche, which is reflected in his name. He founded Gangteng Sang-ngak Chöling in central Bhutan, which became the seat of his successors.

Known for Founder of Gangteng Sang-ngak Chöling

His parentage is disputed. Some accounts say he was Dawa Gyaltsen's son, born after his father's death and raised by Tendzin Drakpa (Yenpa Lodé); others make Yenpa Lodé his father.

1580–1639 · Northern Treasures (Jangter)

Rigdzin Ngagi Wangpo

Ngakgi Wangpo; Third Dorje Drak Rigdzin

Monastery founder · Lineage holder

Son of Jangdak Tashi Tobgyel, who recognized him as the reincarnation of Lekden Dorje and gave him the full Northern Treasures transmission. Driven east by political conflict in central Tibet, he later moved the Evam Chokgar community to a cliff on the north bank of the Tsangpo, founding Dorje Drak Monastery. He took the title Dorje Drak Rigdzin, later applied backward to his predecessors, and counted the Fifth Dalai Lama among his students.

Known for Founder and first throne-holder of Dorje Drak

Founding of Dorje Drak is dated variously between 1610 and 1632. Under one numbering he is the First Dorje Drak Rigdzin rather than the Third.

1585–1656 · Könchok Chidü

Jatsön Nyingpo

Ledro Lingpa, Bangri Rigdzin, Ngawang Chögyal Wangpo, Ngakchang Hum Nak Mebar

Treasure revealer · Monastery founder · Lineage holder

Jatsön Nyingpo was born in Waru, Kongpo. He was one of the few treasure revealers who was a fully ordained monk, and he spent seventeen years in sealed retreat. In 1620 he is said to have found a treasure inventory in Yeshe Tsogyal's hand, which led to his best-known cycle, the Könchok Chidü, a Guru Rinpoche practice widely done in Nyingma and Kagyu communities. He founded Bangri Jokpo, revealed one of the first guidebooks to the hidden land of Pemakö, and sent his disciple Düdul Dorje to open it. His students also included the Tenth Karmapa, Lhatsün Namkha Jigme and Tsele Natsok Rangdrol.

Known for Könchok Chidü; Bangri Jokpo; Pemakö guidebook

1597–1650 · Rigdzin Sokdrub (Sikkim)

Lhatsün Namkha Jigme

Lhatsün Chenpo

Treasure revealer · Yogi/yogini

A yogi credited by tradition with 'opening' the hidden land of Sikkim. His revelation of the Riwo Sangchö mountain smoke-offering is among the most commonly performed Nyingma rituals.

Known for Riwo Sangchö smoke offering; Rigdzin Sokdrub; Sikkim

Lotsawa House gives 1597–1650; other sources give death dates around 1653/54.

1604–1657 · Zur (Nyingma Kama)

Zur Chöying Rangdrol

Kunkhyen Zur Chöying Rangdrol

Lineage holder · Scholar

A Nyingma master of the Zur family lineage whom the Fifth Dalai Lama named as his root teacher. He took part in recognizing Pema Trinle as the reincarnation of Ngagi Wangpo.

Known for Root teacher of the Fifth Dalai Lama

Dates from Wikipedia's article on the Fifth Dalai Lama; some sources give a later death year (1669).

b. 1608 · Drukpa Kagyu and Nyingma

Tsele Natsok Rangdrol

Pema Lekdrup

Scholar · Yogi/yogini · Commentator

A master of both the Kagyu and Nyingma traditions who studied with the treasure revealer Jatsön Nyingpo, among others. His clear manuals on Mahamudra, Dzogchen and the bardos were valued by Jigme Lingpa and later by Jamyang Khyentse Chökyi Lodrö and Dilgo Khyentse.

Known for Lamp of Mahamudra; The Mirror of Mindfulness; Circle of the Sun

Death year not given in the sources consulted. Primarily a Drukpa Kagyu figure with strong Nyingma ties.

1611–1662 · Mindrolling (Nyö clan)

Sangdak Trinle Lhundrup

Sangdag Thrinley Lhundrup

Lineage holder · Scholar

A scholar of the Nyö clan and the father of Terdak Lingpa and Lochen Dharmashri. Mindrolling accounts say he studied with more than thirty teachers and passed the bulk of his Nyingma transmissions to his sons, laying the groundwork for the Mindrolling lineage. Tradition regards him as a reincarnation of Nubchen Sangye Yeshe.

Known for Father and main teacher of the Mindrolling founders

1609 or 1613–1678 · Karma Kagyu and Nyingma (Namchö, Palyul)

Karma Chakme

Raga Asya; Karma Chagme

Scholar · Yogi/yogini · Lineage holder

A Karma Kagyu lama who also held Nyingma lineages, a prolific author and long-term retreatant. He was the teacher of the boy treasure revealer Mingyur Dorje and wrote down the Namchö revelations with him, and later received them from him in turn. His aspiration prayer for rebirth in Sukhavati and his writings uniting Mahamudra and Dzogchen remain widely used. He is listed in the Palyul Dzogchen lineage.

Known for Sukhavati aspiration prayer and commentary; Mountain Dharma; Naked Awareness (Mahamudra and Dzogchen); recording the Namchö

Birth year given as 1609 (Lotsawa House) or 1613 (Wikipedia); Encyclopedia of Buddhism gives both. Primarily a Kagyu master; included here for his central role in the Palyul and Namchö lineages.

1615–1672 · Katok

Rigdzin Düddul Dorje

Dudul Dorje; Kunga Sönam Chöpak

Treasure revealer · Lineage holder

Born near Derge in Kham, he trained at the Sakya monastery of Lhundrupteng before turning to Nyingma and Dzogchen teachers, including the treasure revealer Jatsön Nyingpo. His revelations, chiefly the Damchö Gongpa Yangdü, together with those of his disciple Longsal Nyingpo, became a principal treasure tradition of Katok Monastery, whose revival in the seventeenth century is associated with both of them. Students included Dzogchen Pema Rigdzin and Kunzang Sherab of Palyul, and the Dudjom incarnation line counts him as a predecessor.

Known for Damchö Gongpa Yangdü treasure cycle; revival of Katok

1617–1682 · Gelug (with Nyingma lineages)

Fifth Dalai Lama

Ngawang Lobsang Gyatso; the Great Fifth; Zahor Bande; Dorje Thokme Tsal

King/patron · Treasure revealer · Scholar

A Gelug hierarch who became the first Dalai Lama to hold political authority over Tibet. He also took Nyingma empowerments, called the Nyingma master Zur Chöying Rangdrol his root teacher, and recorded a series of visionary revelations (the Sangwa Gyachen). He supported Terdak Lingpa, Lochen Dharmashri, the Dorje Drak Rigdzins and Dzogchen Pema Rigdzin, and so had a large part in shaping the Nyingma institutions founded in his era.

Known for Pure-vision revelations (Sangwa Gyachen), including the Thukdrub Yang Nying Kündü of the Guru's eight manifestations; patronage of Mindrolling, Dorje Drak and Dzogchen; prayer 'Cloud Banks of Blessings' to Padmasambhava

1625–1697 · Dzogchen

Dzogchen Pema Rigdzin

First Dzogchen Rinpoche; First Dzogchen Drubwang

Monastery founder · Dzogchen lineage · Lineage holder

Born near Riwoche in Kham, he studied with Karma Chakme as a boy and later received Dzogchen teachings from Düddul Dorje, earning the name 'Dzogchenpa from Kham'. He taught the Fifth Dalai Lama and exchanged teachings with Terdak Lingpa. Charged by the Fifth Dalai Lama and backed by the king of Derge, he founded the hermitage that grew into Dzogchen Monastery in the Rudam valley in 1684. His disciples included the first Shechen Rabjam, the first Dzogchen Pönlop and the treasure revealer Nyima Drakpa.

Known for Founder of Dzogchen Monastery (Rudam Orgyen Samten Chöling)

Founding dated 1684 (Treasury of Lives via Tricycle, Wikipedia) or 1685 (Encyclopedia of Buddhism).

1625–1692 · Katok

Longsal Nyingpo

Rigdzin Longsal Dorje Nyingpo; Wangdrak Gyatso

Treasure revealer · Lineage holder

A disciple of Düddul Dorje who revealed the Longsal Dorje Nyingpo cycle. At the request of the Derge ruler he restored Katok's main temple and other buildings and taught large monastic assemblies there; Katok's emphasis on monasticism and its treasure lineages grew under his influence. His Longsal Dorje Nyingpo preliminaries are still practiced, and part of them is quoted in Longchen Nyingtik ngöndro guides.

Known for Longsal Dorje Nyingpo cycle; restoration of Katok

Wikipedia also cites alternative dates of 1625–1682 or 1685–1752. Wikipedia dates the rebuilding of Katok to 1656; the Kathok Singapore account places Longsal Nyingpo's restoration in a Fire Snake year, which would suggest 1677.

1636–1698/99 · Palyul

Rigdzin Kunzang Sherab

Kunzang Sherab

Monastery founder · Abbot · Lineage holder

A disciple of Mingyur Dorje and Karma Chakme, and also of Düddul Dorje, who became the first throne-holder of Palyul Monastery in Kham when he took charge of it in 1665. He set the order of practice still followed in Palyul monasteries, combining Kama and Terma lineages, with emphasis on the Namchö. He built a reliquary stupa for Mingyur Dorje.

Known for First throne-holder of Palyul Namgyal Jangchub Chöling

Palyul's own site gives his death as 1699; Namdroling and the Treasury of Lives (per search) give 1698. The monastery building is dated 1664 by Namdroling and 1665 by Wikipedia.

1641–1717 · Northern Treasures (Jangter)

Rigdzin Pema Trinle

Fourth Dorje Drak Rigdzin; Dordrak Rigdzin Chenpo Pema Trinle

Lineage holder · Abbot · Scholar

Recognized as the reincarnation of Ngagi Wangpo, he was a close disciple of the Fifth Dalai Lama and also studied with Terdak Lingpa. Under his leadership Dorje Drak was greatly enlarged and became the main seat of the Northern Treasures, and he wrote extensively on Nyingma ritual and tantra. He was killed by Dzungar Mongol forces, who sacked the monastery.

Known for Expansion of Dorje Drak; writings on Northern Treasures ritual

Death given as 1717 in most sources; some (e.g. Himalayan Art Resources, per search) give 1718.

1645–1667 · Namchö (Palyul)

Mingyur Dorje

Namchö Mingyur Dorje; Tertön Mingyur Dorje; Drakpo Nuden Tsal

Treasure revealer

A treasure revealer whose pure-vision revelations, received mostly in his early teens, form the Namchö or 'Sky Dharma' cycle. Karma Chakme recognized him and wrote the revelations down during a long joint retreat. He died at twenty-three. His thirteen volumes of revelations became a principal practice tradition of Palyul Monastery, and he named Kunzang Sherab as his lineage holder.

Known for Namchö (Sky Dharma) treasures; the popular brief Sukhavati aspiration

1646–1714 · Mindrolling

Terdak Lingpa

Minling Terchen Gyurme Dorje; Rigdzin Terdak Lingpa; Chögyal Terdak Lingpa

Treasure revealer · Monastery founder · Lineage holder

Treasure revealer who founded Mindrolling Monastery in central Tibet in 1676. With his brother Lochen Dharmashri he gathered and reorganized the Nyingma Kama (spoken-word) transmissions, uniting lineages from central and eastern Tibet, and compiled a large collection of treasure texts (the Döjo Bumzang) that anticipated the later Rinchen Terdzö. He had a teacher-patron relationship with the Fifth Dalai Lama, and many leading lamas of his day received teachings from him. He taught his daughter Mingyur Paldrön alongside his sons.

Known for Founded Mindrolling (1676); treasures including the Rigdzin Tukthik, Shinje Drekjom, Dorsem Ati Zabdön and Tukje Chenpo Deshek Kündü; Döjo Bumzang collection

1647–1710 · Nyingma (own treasures)

Rigdzin Nyima Drakpa

Garwang Drodul Lingpa

Treasure revealer

A treasure revealer and disciple of Dzogchen Pema Rigdzin, who travelled with him in central Tibet. Their relationship is described as difficult. His revelations include an Avalokiteshvara cycle containing the much-recited Marmé Mönlam (light-offering aspiration), and he declined the abbacy of Dzogchen Monastery when it was offered.

Known for Marig Münsel Avalokiteshvara cycle; Marmé Mönlam; Tsasum Sangwa Nyingtik

The Tricycle summary of the Treasury of Lives links him to a revelation 'that has come to be known as the Tibetan Book of the Dead', but the Bardo Thödrol is usually credited to Karma Lingpa; this needs clarification.

1650–1704 · Shechen

Shechen Rabjam Tenpai Gyaltsen

First Shechen Rabjam; Dzogchen Rabjam

Monastery founder · Scholar · Lineage holder

Born in central Tibet, he studied at Sakya and Geluk institutions and earned the scholastic title Rabjampa. He met Dzogchen Pema Rigdzin at Yerpa, took him as his lifelong teacher, and went with him to Kham to help establish Dzogchen Monastery. Nearby he started the community later called Shechen; he spent his final years at Dzogchen.

Known for Founding of the community that became Shechen Monastery

Shechen's founding is dated 1690 or 1695 (credited to him) or 1734/35 (credited to the Second Rabjam). The research brief named him 'Tenpai Nyima'; the sources consulted call the first Rabjam Tenpai Gyaltsen.

1654–1717/18 · Mindrolling

Lochen Dharmashri

Ngawang Chöpal Gyatso; Minling Lochen

Scholar · Commentator · Lineage holder

Younger brother and principal disciple of Terdak Lingpa, and a co-founder of Mindrolling. He took novice vows from the Fifth Dalai Lama and, at the Dalai Lama's direction, became a major preserver of the monastic Vinaya lineage within the Nyingma school. His collected works fill many volumes and include widely studied commentaries on the Guhyagarbha Tantra. He was killed when Dzungar Mongol forces sacked Mindrolling.

Known for Lochen Kabum (collected works); Guhyagarbha commentaries 'Ornament of the Intent of the Lord of Secrets' and 'Oral Instructions of the Lord of Secrets'

Death year given as 1717 (Mindrolling, Encyclopedia of Buddhism) or 1717/18 (Lotsawa House). Mindrolling counts his collected works as 24 volumes; Encyclopedia of Buddhism says 20.

1660–1727 · Palyul

Pema Lhundrup Gyatso

Padma Lhundrub Gyatso

Lineage holder · Abbot

Nephew of Kunzang Sherab and second throne-holder of Palyul. He received the Namchö transmissions from Mingyur Dorje and lived at Palyul under his uncle from age sixteen, taking full charge of the monastery after Kunzang Sherab's death.

Known for Second throne-holder of Palyul

Dates come from Palyul's devotional biography; independent confirmation was not found.

1686–1718 · Mindrolling

Pema Gyurme Gyatso

Minling Dungse Pema Gyurme Gyatso

Lineage holder · Abbot

Eldest son and heir of Terdak Lingpa, who succeeded his father as head of Mindrolling. He was killed, together with his uncle Lochen Dharmashri, when Dzungar Mongol forces sacked the monastery.

Known for Mindrolling throne-holder after Terdak Lingpa

1694–1754 (or 1758) · Mindrolling

Gyalse Rinchen Namgyal

Dungse Rinchen Namgyal; Drinchen Rinchen Namgyal

Lineage holder · Abbot

Son of Terdak Lingpa who escaped to Kham during the Dzungar invasion. After the invaders withdrew he returned to central Tibet and, with his sister Mingyur Paldrön, led the rebuilding of Mindrolling under the patronage of the Seventh Dalai Lama's government, becoming its next throne-holder.

Known for Rebuilding of Mindrolling after 1718

Lotsawa House gives 1694–1754; the Treasury of Lives (as summarized on Tricycle) gives 1694–1758. Mindrolling's website calls him Mingyur Paldrön's younger brother, which conflicts with a 1694 birth (she was born in 1699).

1697–1740 · Gelug (with Nyingma treasures)

Lelung Zhepai Dorje

Lelung Jedrung Lobzang Trinle; Shepé Dorje

Treasure revealer · Scholar

A Gelug incarnate lama who also revealed treasures and wrote extensively on Dharma protectors. He was closely connected with Mindrolling and, according to the Treasury of Lives, his marriage proposals were turned down by Mingyur Paldrön.

Known for Writings on dharmapalas; aspiration to the hidden land of Pemakö

Gelug affiliation; included for his treasure revelations and ties to Mindrolling.

1698–1755 · Katok

Katok Rigdzin Tsewang Norbu

Kahtok Rigdzin Tsewang Norbu

Scholar · Lineage holder · Yogi/yogini

A Katok master who declined formal headship of the monastery and spent much of his life travelling, including several journeys to Nepal and a role in Lowo and Sikkim. He studied widely across schools, exchanged teachings with the Twelfth Karmapa, and wrote on the Jonang 'other-emptiness' (shentong) view, history and geography. He was an important teacher of Situ Panchen Chökyi Jungne and helped revive shentong among Nyingma and Kagyu scholars.

Known for Writings on shentong and Kalachakra; lineage prayers for the Khandro Nyingtik and Könchok Chidü

1699–1758 · Dzogchen

Gyurme Thekchok Tendzin

Second Dzogchen Rinpoche

Lineage holder · Abbot

Second head of the Dzogchen Rinpoche line, listed among the disciples of Terdak Lingpa. His younger brother became the Second Shechen Rabjam.

Known for Second Dzogchen Drubwang

The Tricycle summary of the Treasury of Lives is internally ambiguous about whether these dates belong to the Second Dzogchen Rinpoche or his brother; Mindrolling sources name 'Jurme Thekchog Tenzin' as the second Dzogchen incarnation.

1699–1769 · Mindrolling

Jetsün Mingyur Paldrön

Mingyur Peldrön; Mingyur Palgyi Drönma; Sherab Drolma

Woman master · Lineage holder · Dzogchen lineage

Daughter of Terdak Lingpa, trained by her father and by Lochen Dharmashri in the full Mindrolling transmissions. When Dzungar forces attacked central Tibet in 1717 she fled to Sikkim and taught there for about two years. On her return she and her brother rebuilt the ruined Mindrolling, and she later conferred her father's collected works and the Nyingtik Yabzhi on some 270 disciples. She founded the Samten Tse nunnery near Mindrolling and lived there for much of her later life; a long biography was written by her disciple Gyurme Ösel.

Known for Rebuilding Mindrolling; Samten Tse nunnery; transmission of the Terdak Lingpa corpus and Nyingtik Yabzhi; prayers including a Trekchö aspiration

Mindrolling and Wikipedia say she founded Pemayangtse Monastery in Sikkim; Pemayangtse is more commonly credited to Lhatsün Namkha Jigme's lineage, so her role there is uncertain. The Treasury of Lives (per search summary) notes she remained celibate and declined proposals from Lelung Zhepai Dorje.

1713–1769 · Shechen

Gyurme Kunzang Namgyal

Second Shechen Rabjam; Pema Sang-ngak Tendzin

Monastery founder · Lineage holder · Abbot

Recognized around 1717 as the reincarnation of the first Shechen Rabjam, he was the brother of the Second Dzogchen Rinpoche. He studied with leaders of several mother monasteries, including Rinchen Namgyal of Mindrolling, the Fifth Dorje Drak Rigdzin and Drime Zhingkyong of Katok. Around 1734–35 he moved or refounded the Shechen community as Tennyi Dargye Ling, which grew into a major center; he performed the hair-cutting ceremony for the young first Dodrupchen.

Known for Establishment of Shechen Tennyi Dargye Ling; 'Flight of the Garuda' aspiration for the bardos (1758)

1719/20–1770/71 · Northern Treasures (Jangter)

Kelzang Pema Wangchuk

Fifth Dorje Drak Rigdzin

Lineage holder · Abbot

Reincarnation of Pema Trinle, enthroned at Dorje Drak while it still lay largely in ruins after the Dzungar attack. Rebuilding had begun in 1720 with support from the Seventh Dalai Lama's government. He was among the teachers of the Second Shechen Rabjam.

Known for Restoration period of Dorje Drak

Dates given as 1719/20–1770/71 (Wikipedia) or 1719/20–c.1770 (Treasury of Lives via Tricycle).

1724–1760 · Katok

Drime Zhingkyong Gönpo

Gönpo Pal Chökyi Dorje; First Drime Zhingkyong

Lineage holder

The first of the Drime Zhingkyong incarnations at Katok, recognized as the reincarnation of Gyalse Sönam Deutsen. He was one of the teachers of the Second Shechen Rabjam, showing the close ties between the mother monasteries of Kham.

Known for First Drime Zhingkyong of Katok; aspiration to Akshobhya's pure land attributed to him

Lotsawa House gives 1724–1760; some Treasury of Lives material gives only a birth year of 1724. Biographical detail is limited in accessible sources.

1730–1798 · Longchen Nyingtik

Jigme Lingpa

Rigdzin Jigme Lingpa; Khyentse Özer

Treasure revealer · Dzogchen lineage · Scholar

A scholar-yogi from central Tibet who revealed the Longchen Nyingtik as a mind treasure in 1757, according to tradition through visions of Longchenpa. He kept the cycle secret for some years before teaching it to a small circle, and it became one of the most widely practiced Nyingma lineages. He also wrote the Yönten Dzö (Treasury of Precious Qualities) and published a collection of the Nyingma tantras with a catalogue. He lived mainly at Tsering Jong in the Yarlung valley.

Known for Longchen Nyingtik treasure cycle; Yönten Dzö; Nyingma Gyübum compilation

His Rigdzin Düpa, the Longchen Nyingtik's guru sadhana of Guru Rinpoche, invites Guru Rinpoche with the Seven-Line Prayer, adding an opening line ('At the very beginning of an age long ago').

1745–1821 · Longchen Nyingtik

Dodrupchen Jigme Trinle Özer

First Dodrupchen; Kunzang Shenpen; Changchub Dorje

Lineage holder · Treasure revealer · Monastery founder

A master from Golok and one of the 'Four Jigmes', the main disciples of Jigme Lingpa, who regarded him as the principal holder of the Longchen Nyingtik. He taught the Queen of Derge and her son, which led to the Derge printing of Jigme Lingpa's works, and spread the Longchen Nyingtik through Amdo. He founded several monasteries, including Dodrupchen Monastery in Serta (1810). He gave Patrul Rinpoche his name as a child.

Known for Spread of the Longchen Nyingtik in Kham and Amdo; Dodrupchen Monastery

18th century · Longchen Nyingtik (Bhutan)

Jigme Kundrol Namgyal

Lopön Jigme Küntröl; Khedrup Jigme Kundrol

Lineage holder · Monastery founder

A Bhutanese disciple of Jigme Lingpa, counted among the Four Jigmes. Sent south by his teacher, he founded the retreat center that became Yongla Gönpa in eastern Bhutan and helped bring the Longchen Nyingtik to Bhutan. Local tradition credits him with starting Yongla's Vajrakilaya drubchen festival.

Known for Yongla Gönpa; Longchen Nyingtik in Bhutan

Exact dates unknown; born_sort is an estimate. Wikipedia also credits Yongla's founding (1736) to a 'Yongla Lam Dorji', and the Treasury of Lives (per search) gives c. 1741.

1759–1792 · Dzogchen

Ngedön Tendzin Zangpo

Third Dzogchen Rinpoche

Lineage holder · Abbot

Third Dzogchen Rinpoche, a teacher of the first Dodrupchen Jigme Trinle Özer, whom he directed toward Jigme Lingpa. Jigme Gyalwe Nyugu also met him before travelling to central Tibet. Jigme Lingpa wrote a prayer to the line of Dzogchen Rinpoches.

Known for Link between Dzogchen Monastery and Jigme Lingpa's circle

1761–1829 · Katok

Getse Mahapandita Gyurme Tsewang Chokdrub

Getse Panchen; Katok Getse; Tsewang Chokdrup

Scholar · Commentator · Lineage holder

A Katok scholar recognized as a reincarnation of Longsal Nyingpo's nephew. Through his ties to the Derge royal family he arranged the printing of the Nyingma Gyübum and of the writings of Longchenpa and Jigme Lingpa, and he wrote a catalogue of the Nyingma Gyübum. His manual on the development stage is studied in English translation. His teachers included the first Dodrupchen.

Known for Derge editions of the Nyingma Gyübum and Jigme Lingpa's works; catalogue of Jigme Lingpa's collected works; 'Husks of Unity' development-stage commentary

b. 1763 · Longchen Nyingtik

Jigme Ngotsar

Lineage holder

A disciple of Jigme Lingpa from Dzachukha, counted among the Four Jigmes. At his request Jigme Lingpa wrote a prayer to the successive Dzogchen Rinpoches.

Little biographical detail found in accessible sources.

1765–1843 · Longchen Nyingtik

Jigme Gyalwe Nyugu

Dza Trama Lama

Lineage holder · Yogi/yogini · Dzogchen lineage

One of the Four Jigmes, from Dzachukha in Kham. After receiving the Longchen Nyingtik from Jigme Lingpa he spent long periods in strict retreat, including some twenty years in the caves of the Trama valley. In later life he taught openly, and he gave Patrul Rinpoche the Longchen Nyingtik preliminary teachings many times; these are recorded in Patrul's Words of My Perfect Teacher.

Known for Transmission of the Longchen Nyingtik ngöndro to Patrul Rinpoche

Death year given as 1843 (Encyclopedia of Buddhism) or 1842 (Lotsawa House).

1787–1854 · Shechen

Shechen Öntrul Gyurme Thutop Namgyal

Dorje Lhundrup Tsal

Scholar · Lineage holder

A Shechen scholar whose catalogue to the 1833 Derge edition of the Vima Nyingtik gives an overview of Nyingma and Dzogchen history later drawn upon by Jamgön Kongtrul and Dudjom Rinpoche. He was a student of Gyalse Shenpen Thaye and a teacher of Jamyang Khyentse Wangpo and Jamgön Kongtrul.

Known for Catalogue to the Vima Nyingtik

His teacher relationships come from Encyclopedia of Buddhism (Gyalse Shenpen Thaye entry) and general knowledge; Lotsawa House gives only dates and works.

late 18th–19th century · Mindrolling

Jetsün Trinlé Chödrön

Minling Jetsün Gyurme Trinlé Chödrön

Woman master · Lineage holder · Dzogchen lineage

A Mindrolling nun and teacher, daughter of the Mindrolling throne-holder Trinle Namgyal. She received the Mindrolling transmissions and taught widely, with particular importance for the Semde and Longde Dzogchen lineages. She was one of the teachers of Jamyang Khyentse Wangpo.

Known for Transmission of Dzogchen Semde and Longde; teacher of Jamyang Khyentse Wangpo

No birth or death dates are given in the sources consulted; her dates are estimated from her role as a teacher of Jamyang Khyentse Wangpo (b. 1820). born_sort is approximate.

1793–1870 · Dzogchen Monastery

Fourth Dzogchen Rinpoche, Mingyur Namkhai Dorje

Fourth Dzogchen Drubwang

Abbot · Lineage holder · Dzogchen lineage

Born to a noble family near Dzogchen Monastery, he was recognized at age seven as the reincarnation of the Third Dzogchen Rinpoche. A student of the First Dodrupchen, he restored the monastery after the earthquake of 1842 with the support of the king of Derge. He taught many of the masters of the Rimé generation, including Jamyang Khyentse Wangpo, Do Khyentse, Jamgön Kongtrul, Chokgyur Lingpa and Patrul Rinpoche.

Known for Restoration of Dzogchen Monastery after 1842

1800–1866 · Longchen Nyingtik

Do Khyentse Yeshe Dorje

Do Khyentse; mind emanation of Jigme Lingpa

Treasure revealer · Yogi/yogini · Lineage holder

Born to nomads in Golok, he was recognized by the First Dodrupchen and others as the mind emanation of Jigme Lingpa and trained with the First Dodrupchen as his main teacher. He later lived for years at Dartsedo at the invitation of the Chakla king, which gave him the name Do Khyentse. He is remembered as an unconventional, wandering tantric yogi; tradition tells of him hunting deer and reviving them. He revealed mind treasures and was a decisive teacher of Patrul Rinpoche.

Known for Mind treasures; awakening of Patrul Rinpoche's realization (the 'Old Dog' episode)

1800–1855 · Dzogchen Monastery; Mindrolling-related; Longchen Nyingtik

Gyalse Shenpen Thaye

Gyelse Zhenpen Taye Wozer; Gemang Rinpoche

Scholar · Abbot · Monastery founder

Born in Dzachuka, he came to Dzogchen Monastery as a youth and was identified as a reincarnation of Terdak Lingpa, founder of Mindroling. He founded Shri Singha College at Dzogchen Monastery around 1848, and later founded Gemang in Dzachuka, beginning the Gemang incarnation line. He collected and preserved Nyingma kama ritual traditions and was a teacher of Patrul Rinpoche, Pema Vajra and Nyoshul Lungtok.

Known for Founder of Shri Singha College (c. 1848) and Gemang; commentary on the Guhyagarbha Tantra

Death year given as 1855 or 1869 in different sources; the Treasury of Lives biography gives 1855.

c. 1807–1884 · Dzogchen Monastery; Longchen Nyingtik

Pema Vajra

Dzogchen Khenpo Pema Vajra; Khenchen Pema Badzra

Scholar · Abbot · Lineage holder

A monk of Dzogchen Monastery from the Rudam region, he studied with the Fourth Dzogchen Rinpoche, Jigme Gyalwai Nyugu, Gyalse Shenpen Thaye and Patrul Rinpoche, and served as a khenpo of Shri Singha College. He became a teacher of many leading figures of the next generation, including Jamyang Khyentse Wangpo, Adzom Drukpa, Lerab Lingpa, the Third Dodrupchen and the Fourth Shechen Gyaltsap. Only part of his writings survive, including a response to critics of the Nyingma school.

Known for Teacher at Shri Singha College; defence of the Nyingma school

Birth year uncertain (before 1807 or shortly after, per different Tibetan biographers); the Treasury of Lives gives death in 1884, while its Third Dodrupchen article gives d. 1887.

1808–1887 · Longchen Nyingtik; Rimé

Patrul Rinpoche

Dza Patrul Orgyen Jigme Chökyi Wangpo; Pelge Tulku; 'Old Dog'

Yogi/yogini · Scholar · Lineage holder

Born in Dzachuka in northern Kham, he was recognized as the Pelge incarnation but gave up the property and status of an incarnate lama around age twenty to live as a wandering student, teacher and hermit. His root teacher was Jigme Gyalwai Nyugu, whose preliminary-practice teachings he wrote down as The Words of My Perfect Teacher; he also received decisive Dzogchen instruction from Do Khyentse. He taught widely at Dzogchen's Shri Singha College, Katok and in Golok, especially the Bodhicharyavatara, and avoided wealth and ceremony.

Known for The Words of My Perfect Teacher (Kunzang Lamé Shyalung); teaching of the Bodhicharyavatara

1813–1899 · Karma Kagyu and Shangpa Kagyu, Rimé (also Nyingma)

Jamgön Kongtrul Lodrö Thaye

Kongtrul Yönten Gyatso; Jamgön Kongtrul the Great; Padma Garwang

Scholar · Treasure revealer · Lineage holder

Born in Derge and raised in the Bon tradition, he later trained at Shechen and was then taken into Pelpung, the Karma Kagyu seat, where he spent most of his life; his personal hermitage was Tsadra Rinchen Drak. Working closely with Jamyang Khyentse Wangpo and Chokgyur Lingpa, he gathered teachings from many traditions into the Five Treasuries, including the Rinchen Terdzö collection of Nyingma treasures. He is counted as a principal architect of the Rimé (non-sectarian) movement. He is listed here as a Kagyu-Rimé master whose work preserved a great deal of Nyingma material.

Known for The Five Treasuries (including Rinchen Terdzö, Treasury of Knowledge, Treasury of Precious Instructions)

Primarily Karma Kagyu; not a Nyingma lineage head. Birth given as 1813 in his Treasury of Lives biography but 1811 in some other entries; death 1899 or 1899/1900.

1820–1892 · Rimé; Sakya and Nyingma

Jamyang Khyentse Wangpo

Khyentse Wangpo; Pema Ösel Do-ngak Lingpa; Kunga Tenpai Gyaltsen

Treasure revealer · Lineage holder · Scholar

Born at Dilgo in Terlung near Derge, he was first identified as a Sakya (Ngor) incarnation and later as the mind incarnation of Jigme Lingpa. He took ordination at Mindroling and travelled twice to central Tibet, gathering transmissions from teachers of many traditions, then spent much of his later life in retreat at Dzongsar. Together with Jamgön Kongtrul and Chokgyur Lingpa he led the Rimé revival in Kham; Kongtrul counted him among the five 'kingly' treasure revealers. Many later Khyentse lines, including Dzongsar and Dilgo Khyentse, trace back to him.

Known for Rimé movement; treasures as Pema Ösel Do-ngak Lingpa; collaboration with Kongtrul on the Rinchen Terdzö

c. 1825–c. 1860s · Longchen Nyingtik; Dodrupchen

Second Dodrupchen, Jigme Puntsok Jungne

Dodrupchen II

Lineage holder · Yogi/yogini

Recognized by Do Khyentse as the reincarnation of the First Dodrupchen, he was enthroned at Yarlung Pemako in Serta and spent much of his short life travelling with Do Khyentse. He received Longchen Nyingtik transmissions from Jigme Gyalwai Nyugu and Do Khyentse but reportedly declined to give teachings himself. During the Nyarong wars Yarlung Pemako was abandoned and he began a new community in the Do valley, the forerunner of Dodrupchen Monastery. He died young of smallpox in Dartsedo; tradition preserves striking stories about his death.

Known for Founding of the community that became Dodrupchen Monastery

The Treasury of Lives gives his dates with question marks (1825?–1860?), yet narrates the new community being founded in 1862, so his death date is uncertain.

1829–1870 · Chokling Tersar; Rimé

Chokgyur Dechen Lingpa

Chokgyur Lingpa; Chokling; Kyasu Tertön

Treasure revealer · Monastery founder

Born in Nangchen and trained in Drigung and Drukpa Kagyu monasteries, he reported visions of Padmasambhava from youth and became one of the most prolific treasure revealers of the nineteenth century. In Derge he worked closely with Jamyang Khyentse Wangpo and Jamgön Kongtrul, revealing treasures and opening sacred sites in Kham. He founded Tsike and Neten monasteries, seats of his incarnation lines, and died at Neten in 1870.

Known for Chokling Tersar: Barché Künsel, Lamrim Yeshe Nyingpo, Seven Profound Cycles (Zabpa Kor Dün); list of sacred sites of Kham

1829–1901 · Longchen Nyingtik (Patrul's lineage)

Nyoshul Lungtok Tenpai Nyima

Khenpo Lungtok; Lungtok Tenpé Nyima

Yogi/yogini · Lineage holder · Dzogchen lineage

Born into the Nyoshul family in Derge, he was ordained at Dzogchen Monastery by Gyalse Shenpen Thaye and then followed Patrul Rinpoche for some twenty-eight years as attendant and student, hearing the Bodhicharyavatara from him many times. The story of Patrul introducing him to the nature of mind while gazing at the night sky above Dzogchen is often retold. He was regarded as an emanation of Shantarakshita and passed Patrul's Dzogchen lineage to Khenpo Ngawang Palzang and others.

Known for Principal Dzogchen heir of Patrul Rinpoche

Death given as 1901 (Rigpa Wiki) or 1900 (Treasury of Lives Khandro Bumo entry); some give birth as 1830.

1830–1885 · Katok

Second Katok Getse, Tsewang Rigdzin Gyatso

Getse Tulku

Lineage holder

The reincarnation of Getse Pandita Gyurme Tsewang Chokdrub, he was based at Katok and is known mostly from mentions in others' biographies. In the early 1860s he was among the eastern Tibetan lamas taken hostage by the Nyarong warlord Gonpo Namgyal. Oral tradition holds that his life ended through violence at Katok; the history of Katok confirms only that his death was brought about by treachery.

Dates taken from the Third Getse's Treasury of Lives entry; the Second Getse's own entry gives no dates. The First Getse (Getse Pandita, 1761–1829) belongs to the previous era.

c. 1832–1887 · Chokling Tersar

Dekyi Chödrön

Dechen Chödrön; Mayum Degah

Woman master · Yogi/yogini

Daughter of a headman of Rakshul in northern Kham and sister of the treasure revealer Barwai Dorje, she was the wife and partner of Chokgyur Lingpa, likely from the early 1850s. She had two children with him, a son Wangchuk Dorje (also called Tsewang Drakpa) and a daughter Konchok Paldrön, through whom the family line passed to Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche. She is remembered as a practitioner who helped carry Chokgyur Lingpa's revelations forward.

Known for Consort of Chokgyur Lingpa; ancestor of Tulku Urgyen's family

Birth year approximate (early 1830s). Her son 'Tsewang Drakpa' (Wangchuk Dorje) died aged twenty-four or twenty-seven.

1835–1904 · Dudjom Tersar

Dudjom Lingpa

Dudjom Lingpa Trakthung; incarnation of Dudul Dorje

Treasure revealer · Yogi/yogini · Dzogchen lineage

Born in the Serta valley of Golok, he was a lay tantric yogi who became the most celebrated treasure revealer of Golok in his time, revealing a large cycle of treasures, many in visionary form. He was identified as a reincarnation of Dudul Dorje; his previous-life lineage was later continued by Dudjom Rinpoche Jigdral Yeshe Dorje. Eight of his sons were recognized as tulkus, including the Third Dodrupchen and Tulku Drimé Özer, and his Dzogchen writings remain widely studied.

Known for Dudjom Tersar treasures; Buddhahood Without Meditation; The Vajra Essence

The Treasury of Lives header gives 1835–1903, while its other entries and most sources give death in 1904.

1839–1953 · Longchen Nyingtik; Changter

Ayu Khandro Dorje Paldrön

Ayu Khandro; Dechen Khandro

Woman master · Yogi/yogini · Dzogchen lineage

Born in Kham, she lived from childhood with her aunt, a practitioner in a cave near the yogi Tokden Rangrik, and as a girl received teachings from Jamyang Khyentse Wangpo and Jamgön Kongtrul. Although married young, she devoted most of her long life to retreat and wandering practice, receiving teachings from many masters including Adzom Drukpa. Late in life she taught the young Namkhai Norbu, whose account made her known in the West; tradition says her body shrank after death as a sign of accomplishment.

Known for Lifelong retreat practitioner; teacher of Namkhai Norbu

Her reported lifespan of over 110 years comes from traditional accounts.

1841 or 1851–c. 1900 · Longchen Nyingtik; Dzogchen Monastery

Onpo Tendzin Norbu

Orgyen Tendzin Norbu; First Tenga (Önpo Tenga)

Scholar · Abbot · Lineage holder

Born at Gemang in Dzachuka, a great-nephew of Gyalse Shenpen Thaye, he entered Shri Singha College and for about thirty years followed Patrul Rinpoche, becoming one of his principal heirs. He was a major transmitter of Patrul's lineage of study and trained Khenpo Shenga and Khenpo Kunzang Palden. His writings included annotation commentaries on Madhyamaka texts and works of advice, many of which appear to be lost.

Known for Lineage of study from Patrul to Khenpo Shenga; Madhyamaka annotations

Birth given as 1841 or 1851 and death as c. 1900 (uncertain). Often described as Patrul's nephew; the Treasury of Lives says his father was a nephew of Gyalse Shenpen Thaye.

1842–1924 · Longchen Nyingtik

Adzom Drukpa

First Adzom Drukpa Drodul Pawo Dorje; Natsok Rangdrol

Treasure revealer · Yogi/yogini · Lineage holder

Born in Tromtar, Kham, he was recognized as a Nyingma incarnation and also, by a Drukpa Kagyu lama, as an incarnation of Pema Karpo, hence his title. A student of Jamyang Khyentse Wangpo, Patrul Rinpoche and others, he founded the encampment of Adzom Gar and became one of the main Longchen Nyingtik and Dzogchen teachers in Kham. His students included Jamyang Khyentse Chökyi Lodrö, Ayu Khandro and Sera Khandro.

Known for Adzom Gar; treasures; Longchen Nyingtik and Dzogchen teaching

1846–1912 · Rimé; Shechen; Nyingma scholasticism

Mipham Rinpoche

Ju Mipham Jamyang Namgyal Gyatso; Jamgön Mipham

Scholar · Commentator · Yogi/yogini

Born in Derge into the Ju clan, he became a novice at a branch of Shechen and studied with Jamyang Khyentse Wangpo, Patrul Rinpoche and Jamgön Kongtrul. He brought formal philosophical study and debate to the Nyingma school and wrote prolifically on Madhyamaka, tantra, Dzogchen, medicine and other sciences, while also spending many years in retreat. Several incarnation lines were later recognized, and he died in 1912 at his hermitage at Ju, north of Dzogchen Monastery.

Known for Beacon of Certainty; commentary on Bodhicharyavatara ch. 9

He wrote White Lotus (Pema Karpo), a detailed explanation of the Seven-Line Prayer interpreted through the Nyingma path up to Trekchö and Tögal, and composed the Shower of Blessings guru yoga and its feast offering based on the prayer.

1853 or c. 1865–1951 · Nyingma (Longchen Nyingtik) and Chöd; Shukseb

Jetsün Lochen Rinpoche

Shukseb Jetsün Rigdzin Chönyi Zangmo; Lochen Choying Zangmo

Woman master · Yogi/yogini · Lineage holder

Born to pilgrim parents near Mandi in northern India, she spent her youth travelling with them through the western Himalaya and earned a living as a mani reciter with a celebrated voice. After decades of pilgrimage and practice she settled at Shukseb near Lhasa around 1904 and turned it into a large nunnery, where she taught Chöd in the tradition of Machik Labdrön and Dzogchen. Her autobiography was completed and carved for printing just before her death in 1951.

Known for Shukseb nunnery; Chöd; autobiography

Birth given as 1853 in Tibetan sources but c. 1865 by scholar Hanna Havnevik. Lineage is mixed: Nyingma Dzogchen with Chöd/Zhije transmissions; Shukseb was earlier Geluk-administered.

1853–1919 · Drukpa Kagyu and Nyingma

Shakya Shri

Tokden Shakya Shri; Drugu Tokden

Yogi/yogini · Lineage holder · Dzogchen lineage

Born to a nomadic family in Kham, he worked as a cook at the Drukpa Kagyu monastery of Drugu and practised in his spare time before training with the Sixth Khamtrul, Jamyang Khyentse Wangpo and Mipham Rinpoche. As a non-monastic yogi he taught both Mahamudra and Dzogchen to hundreds of disciples from across the Himalaya, including Bhutan and Ladakh. He is listed here as a Drukpa Kagyu-Nyingma master; tradition holds he attained the rainbow body at death.

Known for Mahamudra and Dzogchen yogi; large community of lay and ordained yogis

He arranged an expanded edition of Mipham's Shower of Blessings guru yoga on the Seven-Line Prayer, adding refuge, bodhicitta, a torma offering, protective visualizations and concluding verses (translated on Lotsawa House).

1856–1926 · Katok; Rimé

Lerab Lingpa

Tertön Sogyal; Nyala Sogyal; Pema Dechen Rangdrol Tsal

Treasure revealer · Yogi/yogini · Monastery founder

Born in Nyarong to a wealthy family and raised as a householder skilled in hunting and fighting, he turned to religious life after an illness at fourteen and trained in retreat in Longsel Nyingpo's treasures. He studied with Nyoshul Lungtok and Jamyang Khyentse Wangpo among others, revealed many treasures with his wife Khandro Bumo, and founded Khemar Monastery in 1904. He is remembered as a teacher of the Thirteenth Dalai Lama; Sogyal Rinpoche and Khenpo Jigme Phuntsok were among those recognized as his incarnations.

Known for Treasure revelations; Khemar Monastery (1904)

1862–1943 · Longchen Nyingtik; Katok

Khenpo Kunzang Palden

Khenpo Kunpal; Khenchen Kunzang Pelden

Scholar · Abbot · Commentator

From a poor nomadic family in Dzachuka, possibly related to Patrul Rinpoche, he was a close student of Patrul and took ordination and studied under Önpo Tendzin Norbu at Shri Singha. He also served as an attendant of Mipham Rinpoche and helped compile his writings. He was the first abbot of Katok's Shedrup Norbu Lhunpo college and is best known for his commentary on the Bodhicharyavatara and biographies of Patrul and Mipham.

Known for Commentary on the Bodhicharyavatara; biographies of Patrul and Mipham

Often dated 1872 (from a praise by Khyentse Chökyi Lodrö); the Treasury of Lives argues for 1862 from his own colophon.

c. 1864–1949 · Lerab Lingpa treasures

Khandro Bumo Trinle Paldrön

Khandro Bumo; wife of Tertön Sogyal

Woman master · Yogi/yogini

Born into a noble chieftain's house in Gonjo, eastern Tibet, she resisted an arranged aristocratic marriage. In 1887 she married Lerab Lingpa; according to tradition Jamyang Khyentse Wangpo had told him she was his destined partner for treasure work. For some thirty-nine years she assisted his career as a treasure revealer and was mother of his son Rigdzin Namgyal.

Known for Partner of Lerab Lingpa

Birth given as 1864 in the header but 1865 or 1866 in the biography text.

1865–1926 · Longchen Nyingtik; Dodrupchen

Third Dodrupchen, Jigme Tenpe Nyima

Dodrupchen III; Kunzang Jigme Tenpai Nyima

Scholar · Lineage holder · Commentator

The eldest son of Dudjom Lingpa, he was recognized by the Fourth Dzogchen Rinpoche and enthroned at Yarlung Pemako in 1870. He trained with Pema Vajra, Patrul Rinpoche and Mipham Rinpoche, renovated Dodrupchen Monastery, and spent his last decades in near-seclusion in a nearby hermitage. His scholarly works, including commentaries on the Guhyagarbha Tantra and on the nature of treasure revelation, are highly regarded.

Known for Commentaries on the Guhyagarbha; Commentary on Hidden Treasures; Bringing Happiness and Suffering onto the Path

He gave a short instruction offering a simple visualization based on the very words of the Seven-Line Prayer, written down by Matibhadra (translated on Lotsawa House).

1871–1926 · Shechen; Rimé

Fourth Shechen Gyaltsap, Gyurme Pema Namgyal

Shechen Gyaltsab; Pema Namgyal

Scholar · Lineage holder · Abbot

Born in the Lhatok and Derge region, he was recognized by Jamyang Khyentse Wangpo as the reincarnation of the Third Shechen Gyaltsap and installed at Shechen Monastery. He studied with Jamyang Khyentse Wangpo, Mipham Rinpoche and others and was known for strict monastic discipline and broad learning. He was the root teacher of Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche and one of the main teachers of Jamyang Khyentse Chökyi Lodrö.

Known for Collected works; teacher of Dilgo Khyentse

Rigpa Wiki gives 1872 (calling it the Iron Sheep year, which corresponds to 1871); the Treasury of Lives gives 1871–1926.

1871–1927 · Dzogchen Monastery; Rimé

Khenpo Shenga

Shenpen Chökyi Nangwa; Gyakong Khenchen; Zhenga Dorje Chang

Scholar · Abbot · Commentator

Born into a nomadic family in Dzachu, he was taken into religious life by the Fifth Dzogchen Rinpoche and trained under Önpo Tendzin Norbu, through whom he received Patrul Rinpoche's lineage of study. He served as abbot of Shri Singha College and, with the encouragement of Jamyang Khyentse Chökyi Lodrö, founded Khamshé, the college of Dzongsar, in 1918. His annotated commentaries on thirteen great Indian treatises shaped the curriculum of many monastic colleges across traditions.

Known for Commentaries on the Thirteen Great Texts; Khamshé college at Dzongsar

1872–1935 · Dzogchen Monastery

Fifth Dzogchen Rinpoche, Thubten Chökyi Dorje

Fifth Dzogchen Drubwang

Abbot · Lineage holder · Dzogchen lineage

Born near Chamdo, he was recognized by Jamyang Khyentse Wangpo as the reincarnation of the Fourth Dzogchen Rinpoche and enthroned at Dzogchen Monastery. He received teachings from Patrul Rinpoche, Jamyang Khyentse Wangpo, Mipham Rinpoche, Jamgön Kongtrul and Pema Vajra, and built up Shri Singha College. He travelled widely in Kham and Amdo and took part in recognizing and ordaining many Nyingma tulkus of the next generation.

Known for Development of Shri Singha College

1879–1941 · Longchen Nyingtik (Patrul's lineage); Katok

Khenpo Ngawang Palzang

Khenpo Ngakchung; Khenpo Ngaga

Scholar · Abbot · Lineage holder

Born in southern Derge to a family of the Nyoshul nomads, he met Nyoshul Lungtok as a child and became his principal Dzogchen disciple. He served as abbot of Katok's college for about thirteen years and was invited to be first abbot of Palyul's college; he founded Nyoshul Monastery in 1922. Regarded as an authority on Dzogchen, he was a main transmitter of Patrul Rinpoche's Longchen Nyingtik lineage.

Known for A Guide to the Words of My Perfect Teacher; autobiography Wondrous Dance of Illusion

1880–1923/1925 · Katok; Rimé

Katok Situ Chökyi Gyatso

Third Katok Situ

Scholar · Lineage holder · Monastery founder

Born near Katok, a nephew of Jamyang Khyentse Wangpo, he was ordained in the presence of Khyentse Wangpo and Jamgön Kongtrul and studied with them as well as Patrul Rinpoche and Mipham Rinpoche. After Khyentse Wangpo's death he asked Kongtrul to recognize an incarnation for Katok, and he raised and educated Jamyang Khyentse Chökyi Lodrö. He founded Katok's college, Shedrup Norbu Lhunpo, around 1906–07 and wrote a well-known pilgrimage guide to central Tibet.

Known for Pilgrimage guide to central Tibet; Katok college

Death given as 1925 (Rigpa Wiki) or 1923 (Treasury of Lives, which also gives 1923/1925).

1886–1952 · Katok

Third Katok Getse, Gyurme Tenpa Namgyal

Getse Rinpoche

Lineage holder · Dzogchen lineage

Born to a nomadic family in Washul Trom, he was enthroned at Katok as the reincarnation of the Second Getse and trained under Katok Situ Chökyi Gyatso, Adzom Drukpa and others. He was trained systematically in Katok's own kama and treasure traditions, especially those of Dudul Dorje and Longsel Nyingpo, which the First Getse had codified. He died while travelling in 1952.

Known for Katok kama and terma traditions

1892–1940 · Dudjom Tersar; her own treasures

Sera Khandro Dewe Dorje

Kunzang Dekyong Wangmo; Uza Khandro

Woman master · Treasure revealer · Yogi/yogini

Born into a wealthy, politically connected Lhasa family, she rejected an arranged marriage and as a teenager left for Golok with a group of pilgrims. There she became the partner of Dudjom Lingpa's son Tulku Drimé Özer and later lived at Sera Monastery in Serta at the invitation of Sotrul Natsok Rangdrol. She revealed her own treasure cycles and wrote an extensive autobiography, a commentary on Dudjom Lingpa's Buddhahood Without Meditation and a biography of Drimé Özer; she is considered one of the most prolific women authors in Tibetan history.

Known for Treasures (including the Dakinis' Heart Essence); autobiography; commentary on Buddhahood Without Meditation

1893–1959 · Rimé; Sakya and Nyingma

Jamyang Khyentse Chökyi Lodrö

Second Dzongsar Khyentse

Lineage holder · Scholar · Treasure revealer

Born in Derge, he was recognized by Jamgön Kongtrul as the activity incarnation of Jamyang Khyentse Wangpo and installed at Katok, later moving to Dzongsar. He studied with Katok Situ Chökyi Gyatso, Adzom Drukpa, Shechen Gyaltsap and many others, and became a central teacher of all schools in Kham. He left Tibet in 1955 and died in Sikkim in 1959; his reliquary is in Gangtok. His students included Dilgo Khyentse, Sogyal Rinpoche and many others.

Known for Rimé teacher of the mid-20th century; Khamshé college at Dzongsar (with Khenpo Shenga)

He wrote dedicatory colophon verses for Mipham's White Lotus explanation of the Seven-Line Prayer and for a printing of the Shower of Blessings guru yoga (translated on Lotsawa House).

1894/1895–1945 · Golok; Katok

Apang Tertön

Pawo Chöying Dorje; Orgyen Trinle Lingpa

Treasure revealer · Monastery founder

A treasure revealer from Tashul in Golok, he studied with teachers including Lerab Lingpa and was regarded by Golok biographers as an emanation of Rigdzin Gödem among others. He founded Tsimda Monastery and was the father of Khandro Tare Lhamo, who later revived his treasure lineage. Tradition holds that he chose to die in order to take rebirth in the Sakya family, and he is widely regarded as a previous incarnation of a Sakya Trizin.

Known for Treasure corpus published 2012; Tsimda Monastery

Treasury of Lives names his father as Apang Sonam Dorje; Rigpa Wiki reports an oral tradition that he was a miraculously conceived son of Dudjom Lingpa. Born late 1894 or early 1895.

1927–2022 · Longchen Nyingtik; Dodrupchen

Fourth Dodrupchen, Thubten Trinle Palzangpo

Dodrupchen Rinpoche; Jigme Trinle Palbar

Lineage holder · Dzogchen lineage · Monastery founder

Born in Golok and enthroned at Dodrupchen Monastery at age four, he built a college there and sponsored printing of Longchenpa's Seven Treasuries. He left Tibet for Sikkim in 1957 and made Gangtok his base, heading monasteries in Sikkim and Bhutan and visiting the West from 1973. He was regarded as a principal holder of the Longchen Nyingtik and recognized the Seventh Dzogchen Rinpoche.

Known for Chorten Monastery, Gangtok; printing of Longchenpa's works

More than one person was recognized as an incarnation of the Third Dodrupchen; the Treasury of Lives lists him under the name Kunzang Jigme Choying Rangdrol. Belongs mostly to the post-1959 era.

1929–2011 · Khyentse lineage; Rimé

Khandro Tsering Chödrön

Khandro-la; spiritual wife of Jamyang Khyentse Chökyi Lodrö

Woman master · Yogi/yogini

Born into the Aduk Lakar family of Trehor in Kham, she became the spiritual wife of Jamyang Khyentse Chökyi Lodrö in 1948 and accompanied him into exile in 1955. After his death in 1959 she lived for decades near his reliquary in Gangtok, devoting herself to prayer, before moving to France in 2006. She did not formally teach, yet was widely revered by senior lamas; she was the aunt of Sogyal Rinpoche.

Known for Custodian of Jamyang Khyentse Chökyi Lodrö's legacy

Rigpa Wiki and the Treasury of Lives give 1929; some sources (e.g. Shambhala) give 1925.

1938–2002 · Apang Tertön treasures; Golok

Khandro Tare Lhamo

Tāre Lhamo

Woman master · Treasure revealer

Daughter of Apang Tertön, born in Golok, she was recognized from childhood as an emanation of local masters including Sera Khandro, and studied with leading lamas of the region. After the Maoist period she and her partner Namtrul Jigme Phuntsok revealed treasures together and taught a large following of Tibetan and Chinese disciples from Nyenlung Monastery in Serta. Their reliquaries stand side by side at Nyenlung.

Known for Joint treasure revelations with Namtrul Rinpoche; revival of Buddhism in Golok

Death 2002 (Treasury of Lives) or 2003 (Rigpa Wiki). Her recognition as Sera Khandro's emanation is anomalous since Sera Khandro died two years after her birth. Mostly belongs to the post-1959 era.

1898–1975 · Longchen Nyingtik; Riwoche

Kangyur Rinpoche

Longchen Yeshe Dorje

Treasure revealer · Lineage holder · Commentator

A master and treasure revealer from Riwoche Monastery in Kham whose root teacher was Jedrung Trinlé Jampa Jungné. In exile he lived in Darjeeling, where he taught some of the first Western students of Tibetan Buddhism. His sons include Pema Wangyal Rinpoche, Rangdröl Rinpoche and Jigme Khyentse Rinpoche, and his commentary on Jigme Lingpa's Treasury of Precious Qualities is available in English.

Known for Commentary on the Treasury of Precious Qualities; commentary on Nagarjuna's Letter to a Friend

1901–c. 1960 · Shechen; Rimé

Shechen Kongtrul Pema Drimé Lekpé Lodrö

Shechen Kongtrul

Lineage holder · Yogi/yogini

Recognized at Shechen Monastery as an immediate rebirth of Jamgön Kongtrul Lodrö Thaye, he was a teacher of many figures of the next generation, including Chögyam Trungpa, Tarthang Tulku and Khenpo Pema Sherab, whom he ordained. He died in Chinese captivity around 1960.

Date of death uncertain; Lotsawa House gives c. 1960 and Rigpa Wiki says he may have died in captivity.

1904–1987 · Dudjom Tersar

Dudjom Rinpoche

Kyabje Dudjom Jigdral Yeshe Dorje

Treasure revealer · Scholar · Lineage holder

Born in Pemakö in southeastern Tibet and recognized as the rebirth of the treasure revealer Dudjom Lingpa, he became a prolific author and a revealer of treasure teachings. In exile he was the first master to hold the title of supreme head of the Nyingma school. He founded communities in India and Nepal and, in his last decade, centres in France and the United States.

Known for The Nyingma School of Tibetan Buddhism: Its Fundamentals and History; the Dudjom Tersar cycle; Zangdok Palri (Kalimpong); Dorje Nyingpo and Urgyen Samye Chöling (France); Yeshe Nyingpo (USA)

He composed a short remainder-torma liturgy, translated on Lotsawa House, to accompany the feast offering of Mipham's Seven-Line Prayer guru yoga.

1904–1958 · Dudjom Tersar

Dzongter Kunzang Nyima

Rigdzin Nuden Dorje; Sungtrul Kunzang Nyima

Treasure revealer

A grandson of Dudjom Lingpa born in Pemakö, he was recognized as the speech incarnation of Dudjom Lingpa and of Gyalwa Chokyang. He was later invited to Serta, Dudjom Lingpa's home region, and became known as a treasure revealer. He was among the teachers of Namtrul Rinpoche.

Known for Dzongter treasure cycles

1910–1991 · Longchen Nyingtik; Khyentse; Rimé

Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche

Tashi Paljor; Rabsel Dawa; Jigme Khyentse Özer

Treasure revealer · Scholar · Lineage holder

Born in Denkhok in Derge, he was recognized as a mind emanation of Jamyang Khyentse Wangpo and trained at Shechen Monastery under Shechen Gyaltsap. He spent many years in retreat and received teachings from more than fifty masters of all schools. In exile he taught widely, served as head of the Nyingma school after Dudjom Rinpoche, and founded Shechen Tennyi Dargye Ling in Boudhanath. He died in Bhutan in 1991.

Known for Shechen Tennyi Dargye Ling (Nepal); Brilliant Moon (autobiography); termas such as the Jampal Nyingtik

He wrote 'The Quintessence of the Profound Path,' a guide to the visualizations of Mipham's Seven-Line Prayer guru yoga, A Shower of Blessings (translated on Lotsawa House); his commentary was later taught by Khenchen Pema Sherab.

1910–1959 · Shechen

Sixth Shechen Rabjam

Gyurme Kunzang Tenpé Nyima; Nangdzé Drubpé Dorje

Lineage holder · Abbot

Born in Golok and recognized by the Fifth Dzogchen Rinpoche, he was the sixth holder of the Shechen Rabjam line at Shechen Monastery in Kham. He was one of the teachers of Minling Trichen Kunzang Wangyal and helped recognize Namkhai Norbu. He died in 1959 during the Chinese takeover; his successor is the present Shechen Rabjam.

Some sources give his death as 1959 or 1960.

1913–2015 · Longchen Nyingtik; Dudjom Tersar

Chatral Sangye Dorje

Kyabje Chatral Rinpoche

Yogi/yogini · Dzogchen lineage · Lineage holder

A disciple of Khenpo Ngawang Palzang (Khenpo Ngakchung), he was known as a reclusive Dzogchen yogi with strict personal discipline. He held the Longchen Nyingtik lineage descending through Patrul Rinpoche and was also closely tied to the Dudjom Tersar, acting as a regent for Dudjom Rinpoche. He set up retreat centres in Pharping, Yolmo and Darjeeling and died in Yangleshö, Nepal, in December 2015.

Known for Retreat centres at Pharping, Yolmo and Darjeeling; enthroned Dudjom Rinpoche's rebirth in Nepal in 1994

1916–1993 · Katok; Khenpo Ngakchung lineage

Khenpo Munsel

Dzogchen lineage · Scholar

A student of Khenpo Ngawang Palzang (Khenpo Ngakchung), he was imprisoned by the Chinese authorities for many years. Rigpa Wiki records that in prison he taught Dzogchen texts such as the Yeshe Lama to other lamas, including Adeu Rinpoche and Garchen Rinpoche. He became one of the main Dzogchen teachers in eastern Tibet in the years after his release.

Known for Calling the Guru from Afar and other songs

1920–1996 · Kagyu-Nyingma; Chokling Tersar

Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche

Dzogchen lineage · Lineage holder · Yogi/yogini

Born in Nangchen, Kham, he trained mainly under his uncle Samten Gyatso in both the Kagyu and Nyingma schools and spent about twenty years in retreat. After leaving Tibet he settled at Nagi Gompa hermitage above the Kathmandu Valley, teaching Dzogchen and Mahamudra to many students. His sons Chökyi Nyima, Tsikey Chokling, Tsoknyi and Mingyur Rinpoche continue his lineage.

Known for Nagi Gompa; Ka-Nying Shedrub Ling (with his sons); Blazing Splendor (memoirs)

1923–2022 · Khyentse

Mayum Tsering Wangmo

Tselu

Woman master

A member of the Lakar family and sister of Khandro Tsering Chödrön, she was the mother of Sogyal Rinpoche and the Seventh Dzogchen Rinpoche. Rigpa Wiki notes that she was regarded as an emanation of Ushnishavijaya and as a dakini.

1924–2011 · Mindrolling; Dudjom Tersar; Longchen Nyingtik

Trulshik Rinpoche

Kyabje Trulshik Ngawang Chökyi Lodrö

Lineage holder · Abbot · Dzogchen lineage

Recognized as the rebirth of the treasure revealer Trulshik Dongak Lingpa, he was first based at Rongpuk Monastery on the northern side of Everest. He was a close disciple of both Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche and Dudjom Rinpoche and a teacher of the Fourteenth Dalai Lama. He became head of the Nyingma school in 2010 and later presided over the recognition and enthronement of Dilgo Khyentse's rebirth.

Known for Thubten Chöling Monastery (Solukhumbu, Nepal); identified Dilgo Khyentse Yangsi

1925–2023 · Palyul

Gyatrul Rinpoche

Domang Gyatrul Rinpoche

Lineage holder · Monastery founder

Born in Gyalrong in eastern Tibet, he was recognized by Jamyang Khyentse Chökyi Lodrö and Tulku Natsok Rangdrol as the rebirth of a Palyul retreat master and trained at Palyul Domang Monastery. Sent to North America by Dudjom Rinpoche, he founded several centres, including Tashi Choling in Oregon.

Known for Tashi Choling (Oregon); Orgyen Dorje Den (California); Vimala Treasures

1926–2015 · Northern Treasures (Dorje Drak)

Taklung Tsetrul Rinpoche

Kyabje Taklung Tsetrul Shedrup Trinlé Nyinje Zangpo

Lineage holder · Dzogchen lineage

Born near Lake Yamdrok in central Tibet, he was enthroned at Taklung Tse, a monastery linked to Dorje Drak, seat of the Northern Treasures tradition. He received Dzogchen instruction from Polu Khenpo Dorje, a disciple of Khenpo Ngakchung. In exile he upheld the Northern Treasures and was appointed head of the Nyingma school in 2012; he died in Bodhgaya in December 2015.

Known for Northern Treasures (Changter) lineage; Thubten Dorje Drak in exile (Shimla)

1927–2022 · Longchen Nyingtik

Dodrupchen Thupten Trinle Pal Zangpo

Fourth Dodrupchen Rinpoche; Jigme Trinlé Palbar

Lineage holder · Abbot · Dzogchen lineage

Born in Golok and recognized by the Fifth Dzogchen Rinpoche, he became a principal holder of the Longchen Nyingtik through the Dodrupchen line descended from Jigme Lingpa's disciple Jigme Trinlé Özer. He left Tibet in 1957 and made Gangtok, Sikkim, his permanent home, sponsoring reprints of Longchenpa's writings. He recognized the Seventh Dzogchen Rinpoche and founded the Mahasiddha Nyingmapa Center in Massachusetts in 1973.

Known for Chorten Monastery, Gangtok; Mahasiddha Nyingmapa Center (USA); reprints of Longchenpa's Seven Treasuries

1927–2011 · Longchen Nyingtik; Khenpo Ngakchung lineage

Khenpo Achuk

Akhyuk Rinpoche; Drubwang Lungtok Gyaltsen

Dzogchen lineage · Monastery founder · Abbot

A disciple and successor of Tromge Arik Rinpoche, himself a student of Khenpo Ngawang Palzang, he became the leading teacher at Yachen Gar in Pelyul county, eastern Tibet. The encampment grew into a very large community of practitioners, most of them nuns.

Known for Yachen Gar

Sources differ on when Yachen Gar was founded (1980 or 1985).

1928–1973 · Chokling Tersar

Neten Chokling Pema Gyurme

Third Neten Chokling

Lineage holder · Monastery founder

Recognized by Jamyang Khyentse Chökyi Lodrö as a rebirth in the line of the treasure revealer Chokgyur Lingpa, he studied with Jamyang Khyentse and Palpung Situ. In exile he established the Tibetan settlement at Bir and its Chokling monastery. He died in a car accident in 1973; his sons include Orgyen Tobgyal Rinpoche and Dzigar Kongtrul Rinpoche.

Known for Bir Tibetan settlement; Pema Ewam Chögar Gyurme Ling Monastery

1930–2002 · Chagdud; Dudjom Tersar; Palyul

Chagdud Tulku Rinpoche

Padma Gargyi Wangchuk

Lineage holder · Monastery founder

Born in Tromtar, Kham, the fourteenth Chagdud incarnation and son of the delok Dawa Drolma, he trained in Tibet and counted Dudjom Rinpoche among his main teachers. After years in India and Nepal he came to the United States, where he founded the Chagdud Gonpa Foundation in 1983 and its seat Rigdzin Ling in northern California in 1988. He later moved to Brazil, where he founded Khadro Ling.

Known for Chagdud Gonpa Foundation; Rigdzin Ling (California); Khadro Ling (Brazil); autobiography Lord of the Dance

1930–2016 · Palyul (Domang)

Yangthang Rinpoche

Domang Yangthang Rinpoche; Kunzang Jigme Dechen Ösal Dorje

Lineage holder · Yogi/yogini

Born in Yangthang in western Sikkim, he was recognized as one of the rebirths of the treasure revealer Dorje Dechen Lingpa of Domang Monastery, a Palyul branch in eastern Tibet. He spent many years in Chinese prisons, then returned to Sikkim and taught widely in Asia, Europe and North America in his later years. He died in Hyderabad in October 2016.

Transcripts of his teachings on the Seven-Line Prayer have been published and are linked from Rigpa Wiki.

1931–2002 · Dzachukha scholastic tradition

Khenpo Petse

Khenchen Pema Tsewang Lhundrup

Scholar · Abbot

A scholar trained at Pugong and Jangar in Dzachukha, he studied all thirteen great Indian treatises and was known for his knowledge of Madhyamaka. In exile he taught at Namdroling's Ngagyur Nyingma Institute, where he was one of its senior khenpos.

His teaching role at Namdroling comes from general accounts, not the Rigpa Wiki text I read.

1931–2008 · Mindrolling

Minling Trichen Kunzang Wangyal

Kyabje Mindrolling Trichen Gyurme Kunzang Wangyal; 11th Mindrolling Trichen

Lineage holder · Abbot · Treasure revealer

Son of the tenth Mindrolling Trichen, he became the eleventh throneholder of Mindrolling Monastery and spent over fourteen years in retreat. Because he was not enthroned in Tibet, his formal enthronement took place in Kalimpong in 1962 under Dudjom Rinpoche and Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche. In 1976 he took his seat at the re-established Mindrolling Monastery in Dehradun, and he succeeded Penor Rinpoche as head of the Nyingma school in 2001.

Known for Re-established Mindrolling Monastery, Clement Town, Dehradun

1931–2011 · Dudjom Tersar

Thinley Norbu Rinpoche

Dungse Thinley Norbu

Lineage holder · Scholar · Commentator

The eldest son of Dudjom Rinpoche, he trained at Mindrolling in Tibet and became a main holder of the Dudjom Tersar. He was recognized as a rebirth of Tulku Trimé Özer, a son of Dudjom Lingpa. After living in Bhutan he settled in New York and wrote several books in English; his sons include Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche and Dungse Garab Rinpoche.

Known for Magic Dance; White Sail; designed the National Memorial Chorten in Thimphu

He wrote The Sole Panacea (Shambhala, 2014), a short commentary on the Seven-Line Prayer.

1932–1999 · Longchen Nyingtik; Nyengyü (Oral Lineage)

Nyoshul Khenpo Jamyang Dorje

Nyoshul Khen Rinpoche

Dzogchen lineage · Scholar · Lineage holder

Born in Derge, he trained as a khenpo and counted Shedrup Tenpé Nyima, the rebirth of Nyoshul Lungtok, as his central teacher. He became a holder of the Great Oral Lineage of Dzogchen pith instructions and taught many younger lamas and Western students, including at Rigpa retreats from 1984. He died in France in 1999.

Known for A Marvelous Garland of Rare Gems (history of the Dzogchen lineage); The Fearless Lion's Roar

1932–2009 · Palyul

Penor Rinpoche

Kyabje Drubwang Pema Norbu; Lekshe Chökyi Drayang

Lineage holder · Abbot · Monastery founder

Born in Powo in Kham, he was enthroned at Palyul as the rebirth of the earlier Pema Norbu and became the eleventh throne holder of the Palyul lineage. After leaving Tibet in 1959 he established Namdroling Monastery in Bylakuppe, Karnataka, South India. He served as supreme head of the Nyingma school from 1993 to 2001.

Known for Namdroling Monastery and its Ngagyur Nyingma Institute; 11th Palyul throne holder

1933–2004 · Palyul; Lerab Lingpa

Khenpo Jigme Phuntsok

Khenchen Jigme Phuntsok; Ngawang Lodrö Tsungme

Treasure revealer · Scholar · Abbot

Born in Serta, Golok, he was recognized as the rebirth of Tertön Sogyal Lerab Lingpa and enthroned as abbot of Nubzur, a Palyul branch monastery. In 1980 he founded Larung Gar in Serta, which grew into one of the largest Buddhist study communities in the world. He revealed treasure teachings and played a central role in reviving Buddhist study in Tibet after the Cultural Revolution.

Known for Larung Gar (Serthar Buddhist Institute)

b. 1934 or 1935 · Palyul; Khyentse

Tarthang Tulku Living

Kunga Gelek Yeshe Dorje

Lineage holder · Monastery founder

Born in Golok and trained at Tarthang, a branch monastery of Palyul, he studied with Jamyang Khyentse Chökyi Lodrö, Shechen Kongtrul and Adzom Gyalse Gyurme Dorje. He moved to the United States in 1968 and established the Tibetan Nyingma Meditation Center in California, followed by Dharma Publishing and the Odiyan retreat centre. He has focused on preserving and printing Tibetan texts.

Known for Tibetan Nyingma Meditation Center; Nyingma Institute; Dharma Publishing; Odiyan

Birth year given as 1934/5 on Rigpa Wiki. Treated as living: no death is reported in the sources consulted (Dharma Publishing says he lives in retreat at Odiyan).

b. 1936 · Palyul

Khenchen Pema Sherab Living

Khenpo Pema Sherab Rinpoche

Scholar · Abbot

Born at Riphu in Derge, he was ordained by Shechen Kongtrul in 1953 and served Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche as attendant for about ten years, fleeing with him to Bhutan and India. He is one of the three senior khenchens of Namdroling Monastery.

Known for Senior khenpo at Ngagyur Nyingma Institute, Namdroling

In 2018 he taught in London on Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche's commentary on Mipham's Seven-Line Prayer guru yoga.

1936–2013 · Dudjom Tersar; Repkong Ngakpa

Lama Tharchin Rinpoche

Yogi/yogini · Lineage holder · Monastery founder

The tenth holder of a family lineage of Repkong ngakpas (non-monastic tantric practitioners), he trained in Dudjom Rinpoche's monastery and completed a three-year retreat under his guidance. His other teachers included Chatral Rinpoche and Thinley Norbu Rinpoche. He came to the United States in 1984 and, at Dudjom Rinpoche's request, taught Vajrayana there, founding the retreat centre Pema Osel Ling in California.

Known for Vajrayana Foundation; Pema Osel Ling (California)

1938–2018 · Dzogchen Community; Adzom Drukpa lineage

Chögyal Namkhai Norbu

Namkhai Norbu Rinpoche

Dzogchen lineage · Scholar · Lineage holder

Born in Derge, he was recognized as a rebirth of the Dzogchen master Adzom Drukpa and studied at Derge Gönchen and a Sakya college. In 1960 he went to Italy at Giuseppe Tucci's invitation and later taught at the University of Naples. He founded the international Dzogchen Community and its centres (gars), as well as the Shang-Shung Institute and the charity ASIA.

Known for Dzogchen Community (Merigar and other gars); Shang-Shung Institute; ASIA

1938–2003 · Dudjom Tersar; Apang Tertön

Tare Lhamo

Khandro Tare Lhamo; Tare Dechen Gyalmo

Woman master · Treasure revealer · Yogi/yogini

Born in Golok as a daughter of Apang Tertön, a son of Dudjom Lingpa, she was recognized as a rebirth of Sera Khandro among others. She lived through the Cultural Revolution, during which she lost her first husband and her brothers. With her later husband Namtrul Rinpoche she revealed treasures, now collected in twelve volumes, and worked to revive Buddhist practice in Golok from the 1980s. She was the first to recognize Dudjom Sangye Pema Shepa as Dudjom Rinpoche's rebirth.

Known for Joint treasure collection with Namtrul Rinpoche; Nyenlung Monastery (Golok)

1939–2023 · Longchen Nyingtik; Dodrupchen

Tulku Thondup

Tulku Thondup Rinpoche

Scholar · Translator · Commentator

Born in Golok and recognized as the rebirth of a scholar of Dodrupchen Monastery, he became ritual master there before moving to India in 1958. He taught at Lucknow and Visva-Bharati universities, then went to the United States in 1980 as a visiting scholar at Harvard. Working with the Buddhayana Foundation, he translated and wrote many books on the Nyingma tradition.

Known for Hidden Teachings of Tibet; Masters of Meditation and Miracles; The Healing Power of Mind; Enlightened Journey

Chapter 11 of his book Enlightened Journey (Shambhala) is a summary of Mipham's White Lotus commentary on the Seven-Line Prayer.

1942–2024 · Nyingma and Drikung Kagyu

Ayang Rinpoche

Lineage holder

A lama known for his expertise in phowa (transference of consciousness), he held both the Nyingma and Drikung phowa lineages. He founded the Amitabha Foundation in 1989 and built monasteries in the Bylakuppe and Mundgod settlements in South India, along with phowa centres in Bodhgaya.

Known for Amitabha Foundation; phowa teachings

1942–2010 · Dudjom Tersar; Riwoche

Khenchen Palden Sherab

Khenpo Palden Sherab Rinpoche

Scholar · Abbot · Monastery founder

Born in Doshul, East Tibet, he studied at Riwoche Monastery before the Chinese invasion. In exile, Dudjom Rinpoche appointed him head of the Nyingma department at the Central Institute of Higher Tibetan Studies in Sarnath in 1967. With his brother Khenpo Tsewang Dongyal he founded the Padmasambhava Buddhist Center in 1988 and taught widely in the United States.

Known for Padmasambhava Buddhist Center; Padma Samye Ling (New York)

With his brother he gave the teachings published as a Seven Line Prayer practice guide (taught at Padma Samye Ling in 1995; published 2011).

1944–2011 · Dudjom Tersar

Namtrul Rinpoche

Namtrul Jigme Phuntsok; Orgyen Namkha Lingpa

Treasure revealer · Lineage holder

A treasure revealer of eastern Tibet, he was recognized as a rebirth of Namkhé Nyingpo and of Apang Tertön, among others. He studied with Dudjom Rinpoche, Dzongter Kunzang Nyima and Khenpo Jigme Phuntsok. With his wife Tare Lhamo he revealed treasure teachings and was closely connected with Khenpo Jigme Phuntsok; he died in November 2011.

Known for Joint treasure collection with Tare Lhamo

b. 1945 · Longchen Nyingtik

Pema Wangyal Rinpoche Living

Taklung Tsetrul Pema Wangyal

Lineage holder · Translator

The eldest son of Kangyur Rinpoche, he is the resident master of the three-year Nyingma retreats at Chanteloube in the Dordogne, France. He founded the Padmakara Translation Group.

Known for Padmakara Translation Group; Chanteloube retreat centre

The Padmakara Translation Group he founded translated Mipham's White Lotus: An Explanation of the Seven-line Prayer to Guru Padmasambhava (Shambhala, 2007).

b. 1947 · Chöd (Machig Labdrön); Dzogchen

Lama Tsultrim Allione Living

Joan Ewing

Woman master · Monastery founder

Born in New England, in 1970 she became the first American ordained as a Tibetan Buddhist nun, later returning her vows and raising a family. Her teaching centres on Chöd, the practice lineage of Machig Labdrön, and she developed a five-step method called Feeding Your Demons based on its principles. She founded the Tara Mandala retreat centre near Pagosa Springs, Colorado, and in 2007 was recognized in Tibet and Nepal as a rebirth of Machig Labdrön.

Known for Tara Mandala; Women of Wisdom; Feeding Your Demons

1947–2019 · Lerab Lingpa; Khyentse

Sogyal Rinpoche

Sogyal Lakar

Lineage holder

Born into the Lakar family in Kham and recognized as the rebirth of Tertön Sogyal Lerab Lingpa by Jamyang Khyentse Chökyi Lodrö. He founded the international network of centres called Rigpa and wrote The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying. He died in Thailand in August 2019.

Known for Rigpa; The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying

living · Chagdud

Chagdud Khadro Living

Jane Tromge

Woman master

The wife and long-time student of Chagdud Tulku Rinpoche, she was invested by him as a lama in 1997 and named the future spiritual director of Chagdud Gonpa Brasil. Since his death in 2002 she has served as head lama there.

Known for Chagdud Gonpa Brasil

Birth year not given; born_sort is a placeholder.

b. 1950 · Dudjom Tersar

Khenpo Tsewang Dongyal Living

Khenpo Tsewang Dongyal Rinpoche

Scholar · Abbot · Monastery founder

Born in Tibet and recognized as the rebirth of Khenpo Sherab Khyentse of Gochen Monastery, he left Tibet with his brother Khenchen Palden Sherab in 1960. He studied at the Central Institute of Higher Tibetan Studies, was appointed khenpo of the Wish-fulfilling Nyingmapa Institute in Boudhanath by Dudjom Rinpoche in 1978, and co-founded the Padmasambhava Buddhist Center in 1988.

Known for Padmasambhava Buddhist Center; Padma Samye Ling

He co-authored with his brother a Seven Line Prayer practice guide (taught at Padma Samye Ling in 1995; published 2011), and recordings of his teachings on the prayer's meaning are available.

living · Longchen Nyingtik

Rangdröl Rinpoche Living

Tsawa Rinam Rinpoche

Lineage holder

The second son of Kangyur Rinpoche, he was recognized by Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche as the rebirth of Tsawa Rinam Namgyal, a disciple of Jamyang Khyentse Wangpo and Jamgön Kongtrul. He studied with his father, Dudjom Rinpoche, Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche, the Dalai Lama and Trulshik Rinpoche.

No birth year found; born_sort is a placeholder.

living · Dudjom Tersar; Palyul

Sangye Khandro Living

Translator · Woman master

An American practitioner since 1971 and translator since 1976, she studied for many years with Dudjom Rinpoche and was the companion of Gyatrul Rinpoche for nearly thirty years. She has interpreted for many teachers and is a co-founder of the Light of Berotsana Translation Group.

Known for Light of Berotsana Translation Group; translations of Nyingma texts

Birth year not given; born_sort is a placeholder.

1950–2018 · Dudjom Tersar

Shenphen Dawa Rinpoche

Dungse Shenphen Dawa Norbu

Lineage holder

A son of Dudjom Rinpoche born in Kongpo, he was recognized by the Sixteenth Karmapa as the rebirth of the treasure revealer Taksham Tulku. He was one of the main holders of the Dudjom Tersar and helped continue his father's centres in the West.

Rigpa Wiki gives 1950–2018; some other accounts give a different year of death.

b. 1951 · Kagyu-Nyingma

Chökyi Nyima Rinpoche Living

Seventh Gar Drubchen

Lineage holder · Abbot · Monastery founder

The eldest son of Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche, he was recognized as the seventh Gar Drubchen, a Drikung Kagyu line, and studied at Rumtek with the Sixteenth Karmapa and Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche. He is abbot of Ka-Nying Shedrub Ling in Boudhanath, which he and his brother founded, and he founded the Rangjung Yeshe Institute.

Known for Ka-Nying Shedrub Ling; Rangjung Yeshe Institute

b. 1951 · Chokling Tersar; Khyentse

Orgyen Tobgyal Rinpoche Living

Gyalchen Tulku; Abu Rinpoche

Lineage holder · Commentator

Born in Nangchen, Kham, he is the eldest son of the Third Neten Chokling and elder brother of Dzigar Kongtrul Rinpoche. He lives at Bir in India, has rebuilt his father's monastery Neten Gön in Tibet, and has taught regularly at Rigpa centres since 1996.

Known for Teachings on the Lamrim Yeshe Nyingpo; rebuilding of Neten Gön

He taught a retreat on the Seven-Line Prayer, based on Mipham's White Lotus commentary, at Lerab Ling from 27 July to 5 August 2014.

b. 1952 · Namchak

Gochen Tulku Sang-ngag Rinpoche Living

Tulku Sang-ngag

Lineage holder · Monastery founder

Born in Chamdo, Kham, he was recognized in childhood by Jamyang Khyentse Chökyi Lodrö and the previous Dzigar Kongtrul as the Gochen Tulku. He holds the Namchak lineage and founded Ewam International (1999), the Pema Khandro Ling centre in Santa Fe, and the Garden of One Thousand Buddhas in Montana.

Known for Ewam International; Garden of One Thousand Buddhas (Montana)

b. 1953 · Palyul

Khenchen Namdrol Living

Khenchen Namdrol Tsering

Scholar · Abbot

Born in Derge, he fled Tibet with Penor Rinpoche in 1959 and was trained by him at Namdroling. He is one of the three senior khenpos of Namdroling, is known for his expertise in the Guhyagarbha Tantra, and was also a disciple of Khenpo Jigme Phuntsok.

Known for Guhyagarbha Tantra scholarship

1953–2020 · Chokling Tersar; Kagyu-Nyingma

Tsikey Chokling Rinpoche

Mingyur Dewé Dorje; Kela Chokling

Treasure revealer · Lineage holder

The second son of Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche, he was recognized by the Sixteenth Karmapa as a rebirth of Chokgyur Lingpa and educated at Rumtek. With his brother Chökyi Nyima he established Ka-Nying Shedrub Ling in Kathmandu. A lay treasure revealer, he was the father of Phakchok Rinpoche and Dilgo Khyentse Yangsi.

Known for Ka-Nying Shedrub Ling (co-founder)

c. 1954–2018 · Katok

Kathok Getse Rinpoche

Fourth Kathok Getse Gyurme Tenpa Gyaltsen

Lineage holder · Dzogchen lineage

Born in Golok and recognized as the rebirth of the Third Katok Getse, he came into exile in 1997 and divided his time among Nepal, India and Bhutan. He was appointed the seventh head of the Nyingma school in January 2018, at the 29th Nyingma Monlam in Bodhgaya, under a new three-year rotation among six major monasteries. He died after an accident in Pharping, Nepal, in November 2018.

Known for Katok Ritrod (Pharping)

Birth year estimated from his reported age (64) at death. After his death the title went to Dzogchen Rinpoche, who declined it; in 2020 the Nyingma Monlam Committee chose not to appoint an individual head (shechen.org/?p=6622).

b. 1959 · Mindrolling

Mindrolling Trichen Gyurme Kunzang Jigme Living

12th Mindrolling Trichen; Dungsey Dalha Gyaltsen

Lineage holder

The son of the eleventh Mindrolling Trichen, he was born in Tibet in 1959 and stayed there with his mother when his father went into exile. He later studied in India with his father, Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche, Penor Rinpoche, Trulshik Rinpoche and Khenpo Jigme Phuntsok, then returned to Tibet. Mindrolling sources refer to him as the twelfth Mindrolling Trichen.

Mindrolling International says the lineage passed in 2008 to the eleventh Trichen's daughters as the twelfth generation, while a Minling Khenchen Rinpoche news post names him the twelfth Trichen. The two accounts may describe different roles; confirm with Mindrolling before publishing.

b. 1961 · Khyentse; Rimé; Dudjom Tersar

Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche Living

Dzongsar Jamyang Khyentse Thubten Chökyi Gyatso; Khyentse Norbu

Lineage holder · Abbot · Monastery founder

Born in Bhutan, a son of Thinley Norbu Rinpoche, he was recognized by Sakya Trizin as the immediate rebirth of Jamyang Khyentse Chökyi Lodrö. His main teacher was Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche. He oversees Dzongsar Monastery in Kham and has founded study centres in several countries, along with Khyentse Foundation and Siddhartha's Intent. He has also directed feature films as Khyentse Norbu.

Known for Dzongsar Monastery; Khyentse Foundation; Siddhartha's Intent; What Makes You Not a Buddhist

1962–2025 · Longchen Nyingtik

Fifth Dodrupchen Rinpoche

Thupten Long-yang Gyatso; Jigme Long-yang

Lineage holder · Abbot

Lotsawa House describes him as the Fifth Dodrupchen, the successor of Dodrupchen Rigdzin Jalü Dorje (1927–1961), and lists long-life prayers composed for him by Alak Zenkar Rinpoche and Dzogchen Rinpoche. A prayer for his swift rebirth was written in August 2025 at the request of the Dodrupchen Monastery community in Golok.

Known for Dodrupchen Monastery (Golok)

Lotsawa House gives 1962–2025; a long-life prayer listed there was composed in May 2025, so he died in mid-2025. His relation to the Sikkim-based Fourth Dodrupchen (1927–2022) is not set out in the sources I opened.

b. 1962 · Larung Gar

Khenpo Sodargye Living

Khenchen Sonam Dargye

Scholar · Translator · Commentator

Born in Drakgo, Kham, he was ordained at Larung Gar in 1985 and took Khenchen Jigme Phuntsok as his root teacher, earning the khenpo degree there. He has translated many texts between Tibetan and Chinese and teaches Chinese-speaking students at Larung Gar and abroad.

Known for Chinese translations and teachings at Larung Gar

He has taught on the Seven-Line Prayer, and an English commentary, Invoking Guru Rinpoche: A Practical Commentary on the Seven-Line Prayer, is listed on Rigpa Wiki.

b. 1962 · Larung Gar

Khenpo Tsultrim Lodrö Living

Khenchen Tsultrim Lodrö

Scholar · Abbot

A principal Dharma heir of Khenchen Jigme Phuntsok, he teaches at Larung Gar in Serta, eastern Tibet. A number of his books on Buddhist view and practice have been translated into English.

Known for The Four Seals of Dharma; Gateway to the Vajrayana Path

b. 1963 · Khyentse; Longchen Nyingtik

Jigme Khyentse Rinpoche Living

Lineage holder · Translator

The third son of Kangyur Rinpoche, he was recognized by Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche, Dudjom Rinpoche and the Sixteenth Karmapa as a rebirth of Jamyang Khyentse Chökyi Lodrö. He grew up in Darjeeling, spent much time with Dilgo Khyentse, and teaches in French and English, mainly in France.

Known for Oversees the Padmakara Translation Group's projects

He oversees the projects of the Padmakara Translation Group, which translated Mipham's White Lotus commentary on the Seven-Line Prayer.

b. 1964 · Longchen Nyingtik; Chokling

Dzigar Kongtrul Rinpoche Living

Jigme Namgyel

Lineage holder · Monastery founder

Born in northern India as a son of the Third Neten Chokling, he was recognized by Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche as an emanation of Jamgön Kongtrul. He studied mainly with Dilgo Khyentse and also with Tulku Urgyen and Nyoshul Khenpo. In the United States he founded Mangala Shri Bhuti and the retreat centre Longchen Jigme Samten Ling in Colorado.

Known for Mangala Shri Bhuti; Longchen Jigme Samten Ling (Colorado); It's Up to You; Light Comes Through

b. 1964 · Dzogchen Monastery

Dzogchen Rinpoche Living

Seventh Dzogchen Rinpoche, Jigme Losel Wangpo

Lineage holder · Abbot

Born in Sikkim into the Lakar family, he was recognized by Dodrupchen Rinpoche as the seventh in the line of Dzogchen Rinpoches begun by Pema Rigdzin, and was enthroned in Gangtok in 1972. After studying at the Buddhist School of Dialectics in Dharamsala, he became head of the re-established Dzogchen Monastery at Kollegal in South India.

Known for Dzogchen Monastery (Kollegal, India); Meditation for Modern Madness (2024)

b. 1964 · Larung Gar; Khenpo Munsel lineage

Lama Chönam Living

Chöying Namgyal

Translator

Born in the Golok region, he was a direct disciple of Khenpo Munsel and Khenpo Jigme Phuntsok. After leaving Tibet in 1992 he settled in the United States and founded the Light of Berotsana Translation Group.

Known for Light of Berotsana Translation Group

b. 1965 · Dzogchen Monastery (Shri Singha)

Khenpo Chöga Living

Scholar

A teacher at Shri Singha shedra at Dzogchen Monastery in Kham, he studied with qualified masters after the Cultural Revolution. His oral explanation of Khenpo Kunpal's commentary on the Bodhicharyavatara is included in an English translation of that work.

Known for Drops of Nectar (oral commentary)

b. 1966 · Drukpa Kagyu-Nyingma; Ratna Lingpa

Tsoknyi Rinpoche Living

Third Tsoknyi, Ngawang Tsoknyi Gyatso

Lineage holder

A son of Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche, he was recognized by the Sixteenth Karmapa as the rebirth of Drubwang Tsoknyi. He holds the Ratna Lingpa and Tsoknyi lineages and has taught Dzogchen internationally since 1991. His main teachers include Khamtrul Dongyu Nyima, his father, Dilgo Khyentse, Nyoshul Khenpo and Adeu Rinpoche.

Known for Pundarika Foundation; Open Heart, Open Mind

b. 1967 · Mindrolling; Karma Kagyu

Mindrolling Jetsün Khandro Rinpoche Living

Tsering Paldrön

Woman master · Lineage holder · Monastery founder

The elder daughter of the eleventh Mindrolling Trichen, she was recognized by the Sixteenth Karmapa as the rebirth of Khandro Orgyen Tsomo of Tsurphu and holds both Nyingma and Kagyu lineages. She founded Samten Tse Retreat Centre in Mussoorie (1993) and Mindrolling Lotus Garden in Virginia (2003), and with her sister co-founded the Dharmashri Foundation in 1993. She is part of the line of Mindrolling Jetsünmas that begins with Jetsün Mingyur Paldrön.

Known for Samten Tse (Mussoorie); Mindrolling Lotus Garden (Virginia); Dharmashri Foundation

b. 1967 · Shechen; Longchen Nyingtik

Shechen Rabjam Rinpoche Living

Seventh Shechen Rabjam, Gyurme Chökyi Senge

Lineage holder · Abbot

A grandson of Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche, he was recognized as the rebirth of the Sixth Shechen Rabjam and was raised and taught by his grandfather. He has been abbot of Shechen Tennyi Dargye Ling in Boudhanath since it was built in 1980. After his grandfather's death in 1991 he took responsibility for continuing his teachings and projects.

Known for Shechen Monastery (Nepal); Shechen Institute; Karuna-Shechen

living · Longchen Nyingtik; Dudjom Tersar

Anam Thubten Living

Anam Thubten Rinpoche

Lineage holder

Raised in Tibet, where he began practicing in the Nyingma tradition at an early age, he counts Lama Tsurlo, Khenpo Chopel and Lama Garwang as his main teachers. He founded the Dharmata Foundation in California and teaches in the United States and abroad.

Known for Dharmata Foundation; No Self, No Problem; The Magic of Awareness

A birth year of 1968 appears only in a secondary profile; born_sort is approximate.

living · Dudjom Tersar

Dungse Garab Rinpoche Living

Garab Dorje Rinpoche

Lineage holder

A son of Thinley Norbu Rinpoche and grandson of Dudjom Rinpoche, he was born in eastern Bhutan and is based there. His root teachers include Dudjom Rinpoche, Minling Trichen, Penor Rinpoche and his father. He is a holder of the Dudjom Tersar and is especially associated with the Chöd practice of Tröma Nakmo.

Known for Rangjung Ösel Chöling (Bhutan)

No birth year found; born_sort is a placeholder.

living · Mindrolling

Jetsün Dechen Paldrön Living

Mindrolling Jetsün Dechen Paldrön

Woman master · Lineage holder

The younger daughter of the eleventh Mindrolling Trichen, she co-founded the Dharmashri Foundation with her sister Jetsün Khandro Rinpoche in 1993 to preserve Nyingma and Mindrolling texts. She is the mother of Mindrolling Jetsün Gautami Thrinley Paldrön (b. 2012), named by Mindrolling as the start of the thirteenth generation of Jetsünmas, and of a son born in 2014.

Known for Dharmashri Foundation (co-founder)

No birth year found; born_sort is a placeholder. Mindrolling presents her and her sister as heirs of the line of women teachers begun by Jetsün Mingyur Paldrön (1699–1769).

b. 1970 · Palyul

Karma Kuchen Rinpoche Living

Fifth Karma Kuchen; 12th Palyul throne holder

Lineage holder · Abbot

Recognized by Dudjom Rinpoche and Penor Rinpoche as the Fifth Karma Kuchen, he was raised and trained at Namdroling under Penor Rinpoche. He was enthroned as the twelfth throne holder of the Palyul lineage in 2000 and has primary responsibility for the Palyul mother monastery in Tibet. After Penor Rinpoche died in 2009 he took up his duties as lineage holder.

Known for Palyul mother monastery (Kham)

Birth year (1970) is from Palri listings found in search; the page I opened gives no date. Numbering as '5th' Karma Kuchen varies between sources.

b. 1970 · Dzogchen Community

Namkhai Yeshi Living

Yeshi Silvano Namkhai; Jamyang Chökyi Nyima

Lineage holder · Dzogchen lineage

The son of Chögyal Namkhai Norbu, he was born in Italy and was recognized in childhood by Sakya Trizin as the rebirth of his uncle Jamyang Khyentse Chökyi Wangchuk (1909–1960). He holds his father's transmission and serves as spiritual guide of the international Dzogchen Community.

Known for Dzogchen Community

b. 1973 · Chokling Tersar

Neten Chokling Rinpoche Living

Fourth Neten Chokling; Rigdzin Gyurme Dorje

Lineage holder · Abbot

Born in central Bhutan, he was recognized by the Sixteenth Karmapa and Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche as the rebirth of Neten Chokling Pema Gyurme. He heads Pema Ewam Chögar Gyurme Ling Monastery in Bir, India.

Known for Pema Ewam Chögar Gyurme Ling (Bir)

b. 1975 · Karma Kagyu-Nyingma

Mingyur Rinpoche Living

Yongey Mingyur Dorje Rinpoche

Lineage holder

Born in Nubri, Nepal, a son of Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche, he was recognized by Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche as the rebirth of both Yongey Mingyur Dorje and Kangyur Rinpoche. His teachers include his father, Tai Situ Rinpoche, Saljay Rinpoche and Nyoshul Khenpo. He teaches meditation internationally through Tergar.

Known for Tergar Meditation Community; The Joy of Living; In Love with the World

b. 1981 · Chokling Tersar; Taklung Kagyu

Phakchok Rinpoche Living

Seventh Kyabgön Phakchok Rinpoche

Lineage holder · Abbot

A son of Tsikey Chokling Rinpoche and grandson of Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche, he holds the Chokling Tersar and is a throne holder of the Riwoche Taklung Kagyu. He regards Tulku Urgyen and Nyoshul Khenpo as his main root teachers. He is abbot of several monasteries in Nepal and directs Samye Institute and the Chokgyur Lingpa Foundation.

Known for Samye Institute; Chokgyur Lingpa Foundation

1990–2022 · Dudjom Tersar

Dudjom Sangye Pema Shepa

Dudjom Yangsi Rinpoche

Lineage holder

Born in Jyekundo, Kham, a grandson of Dudjom Rinpoche, he was first recognized as Dudjom Rinpoche's rebirth by Tare Lhamo, and later by Khenpo Jigme Phuntsok, Chatral Rinpoche, Thinley Norbu and Minling Trichen. Chatral Rinpoche enthroned him in Nepal in 1994. He lived mainly in Tibet and Nepal and died in February 2022.

b. 1993 · Shechen; Khyentse

Dilgo Khyentse Yangsi Rinpoche Living

Ugyen Tenzin Jigme Lhundrup

Lineage holder

Born in Nepal in 1993 to Tsikey Chokling Rinpoche, he was identified as Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche's rebirth by Trulshik Rinpoche, and the Dalai Lama confirmed the recognition. He was enthroned at Shechen Tennyi Dargye Ling in December 1997 and trained at Shechen.